Not everyone will understand your journey. That’s fine. It’s not their journey to make sense of. It’s yours.
Author | Photographer | CG Artist | Filmmaker
If the person representing your opinion or desired way of life is exhibiting signs of bad behavior when they do it, you can be certain that the majority of people the message is intended for will focus on the bad behavior and ignore the message.
You can cheer on the champions of your cause all you want, but if they’re not setting a good example when they represent your ideas, they’re doing more to ensure that your cause or organization will be perceived badly than they are in changing anyone’s mind.
Those who represent you aren’t doing you any favors if they’re not setting a good example when they do it. And if they’re communicating your ideas in a way that your opposition isn’t receptive to, you can be almost certain that the bad behavior is what they see, not the ideas.
Just because you agree with the message being shared doesn’t mean you should tolerate or ignore the bad behavior of the person conveying it.
ImagineIf more people stopped seeking a constant stream of likes & shares and instead started working for the far more significant & much more uncommon, “Thanks I really needed that today.”
Making a positive difference in 1 person’s life is far more fulfilling than 1k likes.
— Zero Dean (@ZeroDean) January 17, 2019
Some of the finest, most exemplary people you know of are still just people. And people have good days & bad days and boundaries & limits. Being a kind, tolerant, open-minded & empathetic person doesn’t mean you have to sit silent & put up with other people’s bullshit.
— Zero Dean (@ZeroDean) January 15, 2019
By their very nature, the most valuable people in your life provide you with something of value. And it’s wonderful. Now recognize that you have this same power to provide value to others & not just to people you know.
BeKind
— Zero Dean (@ZeroDean) January 10, 2019
Silent appreciation is easily confused with silence.
If someone has done or is doing something that you appreciate, respect, or admire, take the time to acknowledge it in a meaningful way. It is an extremely easy and effective action that amplifies good feelings & positivity and helps to ensure that the things you appreciate continue.
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