Peace be with you.

Happy Monday!

Do you have something that you’ve always wanted to do, but the people close to you keep trying to talk you out of it? I mean, like a big dream that you think would be awesome, but they aren’t quite sure you could pull it off, so they poo-poo the whole thing?

Don’t let it get you down. You’re in good company.

Often, our closest family and friends think they’re helping us out by being negative Nancys when we share our biggest dreams, and usually, it’s because they don’t want to see us disappointed or hurt. The people who love us have our best interests at heart, but that doesn’t always make their advice good.

Sometimes, their discouragement of our dreams comes from a different place, though. It might be because they think they know you better than they do. They may be judging your future potential based on your past or present circumstances. It’s human nature, but again, that doesn’t make it right or their perceptions true.

Don’t worry if your friends and family don’t share your vision or take your plans seriously. Like I said, you’re in good company. In the gospel of Luke, Chapter 4, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown.”

Here are a few non-religious examples, according to legend…

French sculptor Auguste Rodin’s father called him an "idiot" after he failed art school entrance exams three times. Rodin’s most famous statue is The Thinker. It’s not only amazing, but it’s been referenced in pop culture throughout my lifetime.

Story has it that Albert Einstein was labeled mentally handicapped by a teacher who didn't understand his way of thinking. Genius is often mislabeled.

When Guglielmo Marconi, inventor of the wireless telegraph, described transmitting words through the air, friends thought he had lost his mind and took him to a psychiatrist.

My point is that it’s okay… and actually normal… for your loved ones to doubt your capabilities. Don’t let that stop you from working toward your big dream. Belief in yourself is the first step to success. Belief by others is not required. If it’s in your heart, keep pushing forward.

My challenge to you this week is to take that first step toward making your big dream a reality. Believe you can do it.

Go forth and show them you can do it!

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