We all have people in our lives who think we’re wonderful.

Some of us even have Cocker Spaniels who think we are beyond wonderful!

Many of you have children under 10!! Many more of you have pupils and students and protegés.

Some of you have faithful followers, raving fans, and even fanatics! 

It’s great to spend time with these cheerleaders – they hang on to your every word, believe everything you say, trust you can do anything, and are always there to do what they can to support you. 

These are the people who listen you big. These are the people who forgive you anything, who encourage you, who have confidence in you. These are the people who love you. These are the people who want you to succeed. They make your efforts worthwhile and life is fun.

And there are the others …

Critics are ten a penny.

There have always been those who don’t (and won’t) understand you, who don’t (and won’t) take the time to listen to you, who judge and criticize you, who distrust you and your motives, and are jealous or resentful of you.

Such is the way of the world.

These are the people who listen you small, who hold you back, who make you doubt yourself. These people are not interested in empowering you. These are people who’s own fear holds them back, and their fears are exposed by your courage.  

It’s not so good to spend time with the naysayers. They make life hard work. 

We have seen and heard good stuff and bad stuff, great stuff and terrible stuff, scary stuff and exciting stuff, mad stuff and sad stuff …  

It’s all out there.

However, it’s what’s ‘in here’ that matters – what’s in your heart, what’s in here between your two ears, what’s in your DNA, what’s in your blood … what’s in your soul … 

What’s ‘in here’ will show up ‘out there’.

What you send out, goes out … and comes back. 

Life is a mirror of our consistent thoughts. 

So, what ‘thoughts’ do you listen to?

What/who do you believe?

We all have a choice as to with whom we spend our precious time. 

If you are determined to succeed, then listen to the cheerleaders, and success is inevitable.

If you are determined to fail, then listen to the naysayers, and failure is likely.

If you are determined to succeed yet listen to the naysayers, your success will be impeded. 

If you are determined to fail yet listen to the cheerleaders, you are in with a chance to succeed.

So, really, who do you listen to?

That’s the choice we all have.

In the end of the day – people will say what they say. 

To those who cheer you on .. be cheerful and grateful.

To those who try and hold you back …  be cheerful and don’t be held back.

Be your own best cheerleader.

Be the cheerleader between your ears.

Cheer yourself on.

You might as well. It’s your race.

And if you’re in need of an extra boost of admiration, get a Cocker Spaniel!