Wondering why people are always telling me what I can't do. Probably explains why I am always telling people what they can do and offering encouragement along the way. Started in high school with my guidance counselor laughing at me when I asked about applying to college in my junior year. She told me that I didn't have the grades or ability (oh yes she did) and that I should go to a secretarial school and marry a man!! I'm not THAT old so this happened at an age when it shouldn't have. Not only did I go to college but I managed to graduate and go on for my masters. Halfway through undergrad I needed to take a year off and my uncle told me I would never go back. Obviously I did.
I told my cousin I wanted to pursue a particular job in a certain field that is unique lets just say and she laughed at me and rolled her eyes and just said ok. My mother who witnessed this had the pleasure of answering her question 3 years later when asked "how's -insert name here doing?" that I was fine and had been working in X position for the past year. I was blessed to work there for 8 years before I decided to move on but the point is people have always seemed to go out of their way to tell me what I can't do.
Recently I was told by the owner of a local yarn shop I shouldn't even attempt to do this one pattern because I had never used two of the techniques before. Probably out of stubbornness, I finished the little project this weekend by leArning these two techniques (gotta love you tube) on my own. It was a challenge but it's not rocket science.
The recent example is a small minor one but I spent time on Sunday thanking the Lord for all my blessings but more importantly the wisdom to ignore those who can't for whatever reason lift people up. Also thanked him for making me so stubborn.
Aw I'm sorry that you have those types of people in your life. I've gone through similar things and I have come to a conclusion. If people are being mean to you and you didn't do anything wrong to them, it's most likely they are jealous of you. This is especially true with women. They tend to be catty and envious of one another.
I know because I had a step-cousin (is that how you say it?) from my step dad's family who was always putting me down. She is two years older than me and she would always say things like "you're too pale," "you're such a nerd," "you're getting fat," "pink is such a horrible color" etc. My favorite color is pink. And I talked to my mom about this because honestly I thought she was cool and she was older and popular in school so I wanted her to like me. My mom explained, if you didn't do anything wrong to her, it's just jealously. I couldn't believe that someone like her would be jealous of me. But that year she ended up failing and having to stay behind one year of school. A couple of years later she got pregnant and had to graduate from an alternative school. I guess my mom was right.
I don't mean to sound proud at all. I still pray for this young lady, even though my mom and step-dad are divorced now. And I wish her and her family all the best! But what I'm saying is that you shouldn't let those people get to you. If they are rude, mean or negative about your goals, that says more about them than you. What you do is up to you and the Lord's will.
Another quick story, my step-dad didn't really like my brother. I think he thinks that he's irresponsible and immature. My step-dad didn't think he would even graduate high school. Boy was he surprised when my brother not only graduated but got a full-time job as a board operator for a Christian radio station. He is also a Youth Pastor at 22 years of age.
Sometimes it's nice to just prove people wrong huh? Good for you Chickwithsticks!