“Keep away from small people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” Mark Twain
You know these kind of people – they walk into a room, zero in on you and before you know it you’re limp. By the time they leave you and target someone else, you’re exhausted, both physically and emotionally. In reality, I avoid these people at all costs. I didn’t realize how detrimental it was to my health until one of these soul suckers called me on the phone while I was getting a massage. After a while the massage therapist leaned over and whispered in my ear, “Hang up, I can actually feel you tensing, knotting and getting worked up even though you’re not saying anything to indicate it.” I got off the phone as quickly as I could. It took that good man another hour to work all the new tension out of my body.
It’s difficult, I know. Soul suckers really need attention. They tend to brush anything you do or your accomplishments aside and push on with their own worries. They never have time for anyone else and cling to old insults and offenses like they are a two-year-old holding on to an all-day sucker. They indulge in emotional terrorism and insist that the world revolve around them. But it is critical to your health that you walk away. I hate to tell you, but I have never met a soul sucker who saw anything wrong in themselves. So you can’t help them. You can’t fix them. Run, run as fast as you can.
Find friends who support, uplift, and encourage and here’s the key, allow you to do the same in return. Surround yourself with love, laughter and spirituality. Immerse yourself in the gospel. Be kind and patient with those who cannot do the same and thank your Father in Heaven that you were hardwired a different way.