Recently, I had a conversation with someone (whom I've known for many years), who has a tendency to quell any dreams or aspirations that anyone might have. He asked what was new and I explained that I was in the process of finding some screenwriting courses but was hitting a few roadblocks. He then told me that perhaps the universe was telling me that I should give up on this, since it wasn't working out and that perhaps I waited too long to pursue this. My response was that if you encounter a roadblock, find a detour - it may take you further out of your way, but eventually you get to where you're going. He still insisted that I should pursue another path.
I wondered about this, since he has been this way for years, and figured that maybe at some point he might have changed his outlook on life. Not so - he's exactly the same as he always been. He is someone I prefer not to talk to on a regular basis, just because he's such a downer. I hung up the phone and shook my head. Of course, his words still stuck with me and I started (though briefly) to second-guess my decision.
Then, I heard a report not long ago that now there might actually be a "negativity gene" that people possess and it may well explain all the negativity in world. My first thought was "oh, maybe that's his problem." Though it hasn't been proven yet, it sounds to me like another excuse people will use for being this way. In this case, it sounded more to me like jealousy - this person hasn't made anything of his life - he's in the same place in his life as he was 20 years ago, and so, he doesn't want to see anyone else make anything of their life either. It would just remind him of the fact that he hasn't moved forward with his life at all.
It seems that for every positive person out there, two negative people are right behind them, either complaining about anything and everything, or finding some reason why someone shouldn't pursue their dreams or continuing doing what makes them happy. It doesn't seem to matter whether it's work or recreation or whatever, there is someone somewhere whispering a negative reason why you shouldn't be doing it the way you are.
Certainly, there are going to be things in life that get to you and we can vent and rant about it. The trick is not to let it rule your life. Once you get it out of your system, replace it with positives. More often then not, there are people who will offer support and get you back on track.
If there is indeed a "negativity gene", then how to we treat it? There have always been the "glass have full" kind of people and the "glass half empty" kind of people and there always will be. I'm one of those "glass half full" kind of people.
Is there a "positivity gene" out there? If so, I hope it prevails over the negative one. The solution, I think, is to make sure you see the positive in every situation. If someone is trying to dispel your aspirations, dreams or hard work, strike back with the positive reasons why you should. No matter what your dreams or aspirations are, no one can take that away from you.
The only way to fight this "negative gene" is to strike back with a positive one. This is what the world needs right now. Down with the negatives, up with the positives!
I haven't let it stop me from pursuing what I want to do. Though journey can be long and discouraging at times, I know that I will find a way to get to where I want to be.
