Harsh words happen to all of us.
Sometimes they creep in when we least expect them.
Do you remember a time when you experienced words spoken with contempt and criticism? How did it feel?
No matter how those words are sugar coated, perhaps called “correction”, “the truth” or “friendly advice” they can be slap in the face. They can crush your dreams and killed your enthusiasm. They can leave a bad taste in your mouth sometimes leaving you feeling like someone spit bile into your heart.
Sometimes you carry these words in your life for a long time and somehow you end up believing them. The annoying thing about dark words is that they have a tendency of creeping in when you are in the middle of big tasks and they strip you off your strength.
These words name call you, reminding you of your inadequacies until; they knock you off the game, leaving you with unfathomable emptiness. They scream at you “LOOSER, FAILURE”.
Just how do you deal with the words that remove feathers from your wing-ed dreams and sap life from you?
When most people hear negative words they sulk and let the words disempower them. They allow themselves to drown in rivers of negativity. Of course negative words can leave us with deep wounds that take forever to heal.
However it is easy to forget the gifts of resilience wrapped in the dark words we hear.
We need to remind ourselves of the gift of resilience wrapped in those words. These words too can make us strong. While these words can drive us to the breaking point, they can also compel us to draw strength from within, strength to try one more time, strength to go against the hurtful words.
We triumph when we decide to become more than these words, when we decide to let these word mobilize us towards our goals instead of let them cripple us.
Here are 5 people we can learn from individuals who refused to believe the dark words. They refused to let the naysayers deter them from their calling.
Elvis Presley
He remains a household name long after his death. After a performance at Nashville’s grand ole Opry, Jimmy Denny, the concert hall manager, told Elvis that he wasn’t going anywhere and was better off returning to Memphis and driving trucks which was his former career. Elvis choose to see and opportunity to push some more. He responded positively to the dark side of words.
Charles Darwin
He is known for the theory of evolution. His father called him lazy and dreamy and he once wrote “I was considered by all my masters and my father a very ordinary boy, rather below the common standard of intellect.” Whether or not you agree with his theories he has made a huge mark in the world of Science.
Marilyn Monroe
Modeling agencies told her she should consider becoming a secretary. She became a pin-up model and actress who still strikes a special cord today
If you want to learn some of these read Seed of Genius: Nurture Your Natural Multiple Intelligences; By Ankur Gupta
David the shepherd boy
Goliath cursed David and looked down upon him and promised him he will give his flesh to the birds and wild animals. David was also told that he is only a young man and will not be able to fight Goliath. We know how the story ends, David did not allow the discouraging words to deter him from defeating a six feet giant. Words can pull us down and make us look so inferior but if we gather enough courage the six feet giants standing our way can fall off.
Walt Disney
Walt Disney, one of the most creative geniuses of the 20th century was once fired from a newspaper because he was told he lacked creativity. Today millions of people visit Disney land and are undoubtedly there is incredible creativity there. http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/240492
Conclusion
A couple of years ago after publishing my book, one lady at church came to me with attitude and said that she wonders what message a young girl like me can give to the world and then she walked on without giving me a chance to say anything. I haven’t stopped writing and telling the world the little that I know. I haven’t allowed those words to deter me from my dreams instead I approach writing with humility because those words have kept me level headed.
Upon striving towards your goals some words will be thrown at you like fiery darts.
Like these incredible human being we learnt about today, who shushed the dark words, you and I can shush these words. We can decide to become more than those words and use them as a tool to motivate us in letting our true capabilities shine.
Question, how have you dealt with the dark side of words? Leave a comment.