I get mocked. I get rolled eyes. I get tight smiles and pursed lips. I get long silences and unspoken expectations, begging me to come to my senses.
I. Get. Mocked.
And that’s OK. I count it as part of dreaming a dream that others might not understand.
To each of those moments I whisper to my heart, “Some have to see to believe, but you believe and see.”
I see where it is I want to go and make decisions that will hopefully bear me home. Does it mean I’ll succeed? Not even close.
If you see what you want, if you focus your energy on the task, if you believe, even in the face of unmistakable skepticism, does that trump failure?
Nope.
I’ll continue anyway. I’ll hang in. I’ll push forward.
To be sure, there will be days I join the naysayers (which include my pride, my reason, and my experience) and feel the heaviness of doubt squashing my optimism. There will be days I consider the din of criticism and concern. There will be days I’ll wonder what the hell I was thinking. I’ll listen to depressing music. I’ll search the classified section for job listings. I’ll make a cake. I’ll clean the house. I’ll regret how deep I’ve dug my hole and the time I’ve wasted and vow, from this day forward, to listen to those who offered me their unsolicited counsel.
Yet, so far I’ve been incredibly lucky. When I’ve reached the point of convincing myself that I’ve experienced a colossal error of judgement, my heart kicks in, overriding the pessimism and fatalism, as it recalls the words I have spoken.
The naysayers will shake their heads, yet again (as will my pride, experience and reason).
And that’s OK.
This thing I’m building, this dream I’m dreaming, is part of my drive, not theirs.
Remember that when someone who needs to see in order to believe tells you not to see because you believe.
The Sunday Favourites #3 | The Questionable Homesteader
Thursday 1st of May 2014
[…] I Get Mocked […]
Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above
Wednesday 13th of November 2013
Thanks so much for sharing with Wednesday’s Adorned From Above Link Party. Have a great week. Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above
Mrs. Tucker
Wednesday 13th of November 2013
You're welcome!
Elisabeth
Tuesday 12th of November 2013
Thank you SO MUCH for the reminder. I'm actually going to read this to my husband now. He has been getting disparaged from some people at our church for going back to school to improve our lives down the road...they keep telling him just to settle for a job now (he HAS a job now. He is doing both) instead of trying to make a better future for the 10 of us.
I just got my IBCLC and I'm working hard on figure out how to turn it into a work from home/online business... I get a LOT of those kinds of comments... but I'm a little more used to ignoring the naysayers than he is.
Mrs. Tucker
Tuesday 12th of November 2013
If you have that voice that is telling you to move forward, it takes bravery and sheer will to ignore those who will point out the risks and the reasons you shouldn't. Bravo/a to both of you.
Kathy
Tuesday 12th of November 2013
Fantastic post! There have been some dreams in my life that probably stopped just short of achievement and mainly due to listening to those naysayers. Very inspirational and well written. I needed this. Dropped by from the GRAND Social. Thanks for sharing
Mrs. Tucker
Tuesday 12th of November 2013
Thank you, Kathy. I appreciate the comment.
Joyce
Monday 11th of November 2013
I began to disregard naysayers after I pursued a few (small) dreams that bore worthy fruit despite dire warnings of bitter failure. Then they returned to make jealous comments, wondering why I didn't "share" more of my ideas and success! Naysayers have only one job - and I gotta admit, they do it well! "Job one" - of many - for dreamers is to stay away from them! Beautiful essay! You keep going, girlfriend!
Mrs. Tucker
Monday 11th of November 2013
Critics love to hate! Thanks so much.