It never fails. The moment that you begin to exercise your gifts and work towards living out your dreams and your life purpose, the emergence of naysayers appear. You have experienced it many times:  your family members, friends, coworkers, etc. are fine with you and your life as long as you stay on the same level and in the same life situations that they are in. However, the moment you begin to strive for something different and better and make progress towards your goals and dreams, the very same people turn their nose up at you and talk negatively about you, making jokes and sarcastic remarks about what you’re doing in hopes to discourage you from continuing on. They refuse to support you (even at the very minimum) and dismiss your attempts at your dreams; questioning why you’re even ‘wasting your time’ with such things, trying to convince you that you don’t know what you’re doing and suggesting that you should just stick to society’s norm.

This, my friends, is the definition of haters.

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These people do not behave in this manner because they are (as they say) “looking out for you and your best interest”. They act like this because they do not want to see you surpass them and their lives. They are actually envious of the fact that you have the courage, determination, and strength to envision a dream for your life, make a plan for that dream and take the steps needed to go after it at all costs. You possess the characteristics that they wish they had. The problem is that instead of them taking what they see in you and letting it inspire them to move on their own dreams, they use that energy as jealousy and negativity towards you to discourage you from achieving your own. Many times, because of the relationship of person or people that are doing this to you, it is not only distracting and hurtful, but it can also make you a bit aggravated.

This is what Ledisi speaks about in her song titled, “Shut Up”. When you encounter people like this on a regular basis (or even worse live with people that have this attitude) it can be hard to block out the constant noise of negativity coming in your direction. It can be even more difficult to remain cordial when responding to someone’s comments and questions about your life. Sometimes it becomes so much that it can skew your focus, causing you to put more towards addressing the critics than working your plan for your dream. When you find yourself in these situations or feeling like this, remember Ledisi’s words:

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They say you’ll never be what you hope to be

And you’ll never shine like the stars

Ooh, you’re trying hard, gotta hold your tongue

Times like this, I know you wish you could tell them

 

Tell ‘em shut up, I’m moving up

No time for the haters, working hard to be greater

They need to shut up, I’m climbing up

This is the calling, I don’t see myself falling

So shut up

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When you have a goal that you want to achieve in your life, never mind the naysayers!  Keep your focus on both the prize, which is the actual accomplishment of the goal, and the promise, which is a richer and more satisfying life. When the negativity gets too much for you to handle, just tell them: “Shut up!” 🙂

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Enjoy today’s Music Mondays selection: Ledisi’s “Shut Up”

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Have a song that would be perfect for Music Mondays? Share below or tell me about it at:  melisasource@yahoo.com.

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