I recently came across an anonymous quote that I found to be very inspiring, and it just so happens to be the message behind this article. The quote reads:
"An entire sea of water can't sink a ship unless it gets inside the ship. Similarly, the negativity of the world can't put you down unless you allow it to get inside you."
I thought the analogy that this quote makes to a common problem that so many people face on a daily basis is perfect. Most especially in this day and age, people everywhere are drown by the negativity of the world and the lies it tries to constantly feed us. I, myself, am a victim to this kind of negativity. I would say that I often have a weak barrier when it comes to keeping out the negative messages of the world and the people who inflict such negativity. I let small things get to me, I take just about everything to heart when I know that I shouldn't, and I am typically extremely hard on myself. If you have any of these qualities yourself, then you know exactly what I am referring to. And when you add in all of that to the crap that this world tries to feed you, well, it can be a recipe for disaster.
There are typically two main types of negativity that affect people. There is the negative occurrences happening in the world on a global, national, and local scale (wars, poverty, violence, etc.). Then there is the negativity that people try to inflict upon you in your everyday life. Some people are affected more by one type than the other. Someone like me is usually affected by both types harshly. First off, I sometimes tend to carry the weight of the world upon my shoulders, thinking that all the problems of the world are mine to deal with, too. In addition to that, I take what people say to me and how they act around me very seriously - often too seriously.
For years now, I have been allowing the negativity of the world and the people around me get inside me, thus sinking my happiness and well-being. Even one small, little break in your inner seal will eventually cause the entire ship of your person to sink completely if you don't work quickly enough to patch up the hole.
What is important is that we must learn to love ourselves enough to not let negativity get us down so much. Of course there are times when we can't help but feel a little defeated and crestfallen, but the key is to pick ourselves up, brush off, and keep moving on. That's also a lot easier said than done, but I think that the more we practice sailing above the seas of negative comments, mean and nasty words, bitterness and hate, the better off we are at the end of the day. Never sink your own ship by letting all the bad in the world drown you.
The amazing thing we must remember is that a ship sails in its demise - the endless and dangerous abyss of the sea is what can ultimately bring it down. Yet with the right people on board and the proper mechanics built into it, a good ship can outlast whatever the unpredictable seas bring forth. People are the same way - so long as we have the right people surrounding us and a solid foundation of self-love and confidence, we too can sail on success among the highest and most treacherous of seas in life.
