“You cannot allow the actions of others to define your reality.”
~Steven Pressfield
I felt really led to write this. It was on my heart. I hope that it will encourage and inspire you or someone who needs to read this…
I woke up this morning with a question for you. But to gain from it, you have to answer it honestly. Here it is: What have you given up on… because someone else gave up on you?
I’m sure we’ve all had our moments of giving up. I can relate to this, particularly during this whole entrepreneurship journey. It’s been brutal and hard, but through it all, I’ve continue to push forward and to believe in what is possible.
I realize that in life, we all face many obstacles. Not only the ones that you have internally but also the ones that you have with other people. You know, the naysayers, discouragers, people who turn their backs on us, and more. As a result, there’s no doubt that people will come and go in and out of our lives at various points for various reasons. Sometimes you grow out of each other. Sometimes life just happens. But other times, it’s because someone discouraged you or someone’s opinion of you, hurt you.
At first, it can be harsh. Then, kind of sour. And finally, it may even cause you to believe what they said about you, which then could cause you to not believe in yourself. Their bitter words may ring so true deep within your soul, making you doubt yourself and all that you dream of becoming.
But like motivational speaker Les Brown is known for saying, “don’t let someone else’s opinion of you become your reality.” People may give up on you, but don’t you ever give up on yourself. EVER.
Become your biggest advocate.
Sure, you may get knocked down at times, but the good part is, the human spirit is far more capable of rising above anything, should everything, come against it – even those who stop believing in us. As five-time Olympian and renowned tennis player Venus Williams once said, “You have to believe in yourself when no one else does. That’s what makes you a winner.” Yep, it sure does. You have to believe in yourself – even when no one else is for you – with everything inside of you.
Today, despite anything that may have happened to you in the past, is happening now in the present, or will happen in the future, decide that you are going to keep believing in yourself and in your dreams – even if at that moment, you are the only one who does.
Your great belief in yourself can far outweigh any negativity you face. Keep pushing forward. Keep hoping. Keep growing in your faith. And most importantly, keep surrounding yourself with those who lift you higher and who bring out the best in you.
Remember, never give up on yourself and in the great purpose placed within you.
“No greater glory, no greater honor, is the lot of man departing than a feeling possessed deep in his heart that the world is a better place for his having lived.”
~Robert Sengstacke Abbott
—This article was originally published on RIZZARR.com.