Opinionated Man http://aopinionatedman.com/2013/12/26/people-are-stupid-you-are-dumb/  is a blogger followed by over 28,000 people and have generated, and (I am being quite conservative here), over 500,000 hits.  This is quite impressive for a blogger being one year in the field.

In one of his recent posts, called “People Are Stupid, You Are Dumb”, he reveals having been attacked with negativity, which has been discouraging, to the point, he has been grappling emotionally, which has been quite stressful. 

I think of the decisions we make and how we as mere observers of someone else who is living life, and giving life to others, will sit down and not do very much with our own lives, but without hesitation become a critic on those who have the courage to bring their passion to life, along with the hard work that goes with bringing their craft to the fore front. 

Psychology Today http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-healing-factor/201307/the-importance-decreasing-negative-influencers is featuring the article, “The Importance of Decreasing Negative Influencers”, provides interesting information on our tendency to give power (if you will) to the negativity, which began from the beginning of time, due to our primitive need for survival.  During those times, being aware of any negative situation could be a warning to be on the defense or take cover from danger.  We have not evolved very much from this concept.  At least in primitive times it was to save our lives.  Now, we have made negativity an emotional destroyer for our lives.

Rather than following the lead of those who are pursuing their passion, and rather than taking a more locus of control position for ourselves, we “powerlessly” try to hinder someone else.

For example, LeBron James, according to Wikipedia, “….has been the subject of much scrutiny, and he has been ranked as one of America’s most popular, disliked, and influential athletes”.  How the hell can he be one of America’s most disliked and he is a tremendous talent? 

Despite what LeBron endures, he comes to the game, hated or loved, and he brings it hard. He plays to win.  And because of his life, his children will never be hungry, or exposed to some of the things our children are being exposed to, because LeBron has a goal, acts on that goal, and actively pursues his passion, thereby leading the way for his children, and for his generations to come, to live well and have the opportunities to pursue their dream.  If they should fail, it sure in hell won’t be LeBron’s fault.  He has paved a way for them to be able to find their way.

We too need to pave the way for our children just as LeBron has.  Rather than hate, we need to try to emulate.

The Cut, a website, is featuring a piece called, http://nymag.com/thecut/2013/04/20-most-hated-celebrities-why-we-hate-them.html  “The Twenty Most Hated Celebrities:  Why We Hate Them”. 

Are we so gullible that we do not know we are often pawns in the game of celebrity publicity status, due to the fact that public perception is one of the most used and changing tools in just about everything that surrounds our life?    So, while we are taking the time to genuinely hate someone, our perception is literally being manipulated!    

Don’t be mere pawns in the game; raise your game to gain success for your life!

If our hatred and negativity was channeled productively into our own lives where we can create a success path for ourselves and our generations to come, or if we were just as courageous as those public figures we criticize, we could create the success for our own lives and really live life, rather than watching others live theirs.

Rather than hate someone, hate the place where you are in your life to move to a higher place— like making more money or creating more self empowerment or success.  Replace negativity towards someone with positivity in knowing that you too can make your mark in the world you live in.  Someone needs you!  Take your place and do what you were meant to do and live!  

Rather than hate, let’s try to emulate. 

With this in mind, I salute the many talents around me and the public figures I am able to be inspired by.  “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the acknowledgement of something greater than fear”.  (One of my favorite sayings from the movie,  “The Princess Diaries”) It takes courage to continue to rise above the intended hindrances and make it work for your good rather than working against you. 

It takes bravery to choose to stand up and stand out, and bring your talent or gift to be scrutinized, knowing in your soul that the rewards of your labor is more than the rants of negativity.