Negative people live amongst us. I have fallen victim to them, and so have you. These people manipulate, lie, threaten, and destroy. They tend to pretend. They smile at you and rip you apart the second you walk away. These are the critics. Like Brene Brown says, the people unwilling to get into the arena but are willing to point out your flaws.

Yet, as much as I hate to admit it, we need these people. We need these people to show us who we do not want to become. We need these people to help grow us into better versions of ourselves. Without the critics, or the darkness, how can we see the light? As annoying as a Negative Norman or Nancy can be, they matter. The sad thing is, they don’t even see their own worth. Instead, they alienate the ones who love them. They put up walls of fear and fight against anyone brave enough to take a stand.

Sadly, I have been this type of person before, and perhaps you have, as well. Perhaps you’ve made some mistakes, and you’re allowing shame to guilt you into some ugly circumstances. Perhaps you are scared, and that’s the real reason you lash out. Perhaps you hurt people because you are hurt. You can be a critic, or you can be a contributor. You can continue to tear people down, or you can begin to lift them up. You can allow yourself to be ruled by shame, or you can shake the lies from your head, give yourself a good dose of grace, and begin again.

Whatever the case may be, you have a choice. Every second… every minute… everyday… choices are made. I don’t know about you, but at the end of my life, I want to know I did my best to leave behind a legacy of love and not a chaotic stream of criticism.

Defy the naysayers. Step into the arena. Fail and fall. Then, get back up and rise.