The world abounds with negativity. We all know it. And we’re all sick of hearin’ about it.
I still recall the words of former co-workers when I would talk about my dreams of a creative life or my idealized vision of creative work as something that can help society grow. I look back now and understand that they thought I was naive.
The things those pessimistic naysayers would say hurt at the time.
But, I’m older now and my skin’s a bit thicker.
Now I see them as naive and I feel sorry for them. In a twist of perspective, I see them as foolish and dumb. I still love them and feel compassion for them. But–now that I have some distance from those situations–I know those people were factually wrong.
I can’t imagine what it must be like to misinterpret the flow of life at such a fundamental level. In some ways, I’m envious of those who’ve never had to feel the pain of thinking for themselves. But, I’m not envious of the miserable lives they seem to live.
What I was expressing was an understanding of life at a higher level. But, where I was naive was in expecting that they would be ready to receive and understand that wisdom. Instead of helping others, my ideas were perceived as a threat or as irrelevant.
Here’s a gift to fellow creators and seekers of something more: learn to shut your mouth.
Besides, what you’re trying to express to others has value. Why waste that on people who can’t receive it? Save it for your creative works, whatever form they may take. Otherwise, you’re just stirring up bad vibes that you’ll have to work through later.
I know it can be difficult to watch others existing in their self-prescribed misery. But many of them don’t want to change. And that’s a difficult realization to come to and accept.
