Average Man
“Don’t let the opinions of the average man sway you. Dream, and he thinks you’re crazy. Succeed, and he thinks you’re lucky. Acquire wealth, and he thinks you’re greedy. Pay no attention. He simply doesn’t understand.” —Robert G. Allen
I posted this quote on Facebook the other day. It is one of those quotes that you read over and over because a) it really makes sense b) you don’t want to forget it, and c) every time you read it you can relate to someone or something in your own life.
Who is the average man? Does he play an important role in your life? Should he?
Does it matter if he thinks you are crazy? What defines crazy anyway?
We are all a little crazy.
Luck. Defined as; the force that seems to operate for good or ill in a person’s life, as in shaping circumstances, events, or opportunities. Is there such thing as luck? Can a person have only good or bad luck? Are our lives really predetermined and there is no such thing as luck at all? Is life just a roll of the dice or is it really about hard work and choices?
Greed. That’s a touchy subject. I know many wealthy people who are not greedy. I also know many people who believe the wealthy are greedy. Saying all wealthy people are greedy is quite a stereotype…..opinions of an average man.
The average man………he has not walked in your shoes. He has no platform to judge. He doesn’t understand.
Does the average man have a place in your life? If he does, do you pay attention to him? Do you see the average man in your family members, circle of friends, neighbors, co-workers? Tough question; but maybe a good one to contemplate.
I was engaged in a conversation with a friend the other day who has been working diligently on her health, fitness, eating, self-improvement, etc. She explained to me that she had recently spent time on vacation with family members who she had not seen in a while; and was telling them about her fitness journey and the ways she had changed her diet. It was troubling to hear her share that her own family members were ridiculing and berating her for what she had not yet accomplished; instead of praising her and lifting her up for the things she had successfully achieved already. This person will read this and know exactly who she is – she is an amazing person and I am SO proud of her!!
The people closest to us are the ones we need the most support from; they are also the ones whose pessimistic words can cut the deepest…and those words are never forgotten. I am so incredibly blessed to have nothing but extraordinary people in my family; and I have the most immense love for my girls who are always there for me…they know who they are 🙂 None of them average.
Life is short. Why be average? Be exceptional.
