There seems to be a huge push back against the haters of the world. Most of the time I would agree, the more haters you have the better. After all, that means you’re doing something right – right?
Maybe…
Then again, the rule of thumb is usually that if most people think the same thing there might be something to that. People in the spotlight sometimes forget that those who kiss your ass aren’t always telling you the truth. Family members don’t always tell you the truth. Quite honestly, those closest to you can be your worst enablers.
If you don’t believe that just watch American Idol during the audition rounds. The producers on purpose pick some of the worst singers to be on TV – just for ratings so the collective masses can laugh at them. But someone close to them told them they COULD sing and they think they are good enough to make it to Hollywood. None of them think THEY are the joke “singers” that people at home laugh at. For them their audtion is real and they think they have a chance. How cruel that those who love them didn’t and couldn’t tell them the truth.
Yet their critics did. And they weren’t prepared for it. Those who love them did them a greater disservice then those who never met them before.
Sure, we all want those we love and care about to succeed. But sometimes you have to bypass the sugar coated “of course you are wonderful at everything you do dear!” and tell them the hard truth.
And that’s where the haters come in. They have no problems telling you the truth. Even if it’s drowned in jealousy and hatred.
I’m not saying take all of it to heart by any means. But sift through what they say. If there is a resonating theme you might want to listen to it.
If you choose not to, of course, that’s your choice. But you might learn something about yourself if you do. You don’t have to let the weight of the haters crush you, but you should pay attention to what people who don’t know you are saying about you, especially if you are in the public eye. Enough haters can shorten your 15 minutes of fame. Not all press is good press. Some of it can destroy a career. Better to listen to those who have nothing invested in your fame than those who live off it.
But then again I guess the fear of hearing something bad about yourself, something those close to you might fear telling you, is too much to bear. But it might just make you better. And there are those who fear that too.
Just my two cent rant for the morning.
Lynn Salisbury 