Let The Haters Hate

Everywhere you go in life you'll encounter these disgusting, loathsome, deplorable human beings. They'll shoot down your every idea. They'll tell you that you're not talented enough. They'll tell you that you're not skilled enough. They'll tell you that millions have tried and failed to accomplish what you're trying to do so you shouldn't waste your time. Or better yet, they'll tell you that you have to be "realistic."

What is realistic anyway? What does that even mean? Was Thomas Edison realistic when he invented the phonograph? "You mean you wanna play music that's been recorded onto a cylindrical disc for all to hear? Impossible, Mr. Edison. You should check yourself into the looney bin post-haste." Was he realistic when he decided to create a device that could record moving pictures? Who knows when cinema would've come into existence or where it would be today if it weren't for him. I'll tell you this much: We probably wouldn't be watching movies like Avatar if it weren't for Edison. Not yet anyway.

Or crazier yet: Was Edison being realistic when he decided that candles might not be the best way to light up a room? You know, because of the risk of fire and whatnot. Because of this, Thomas Edison decided to create a bulb that would light up a room by use of electricity. These days light bulbs are used quite often. Good thing Edison decided to say fuck you to the haters. And that was almost exact verbiage, by the way. Nearly verbatim. I believe what he was actually quoted as saying went something like this: "To my many detractors and those not willing to merely attempt comprehending some of the ideas I have to improve this magnificent world we live in, I have but three simple words: Fuck you, haters."

So don't hate. Congratulate. And come participate. Cheer on your friends and your family members and your colleagues. Be a supporter, not a bitch. And trust me, I understand that once in awhile you're going to encounter a situation that you might feel the need to be "realistic" about in order to "help" someone. For instance, what if a one-armed man came up to you and told you he was going to be a professional baseball player one day. You might be inclined to laugh at him, right? Hopefully not to his face because that would be rude as fuck. But I mean, you probably would think he'd be wasting his time to even try, correct? But don't you think Jim Abbott already knew that? It didn't stop him though, did it? He not only played professional baseball for over ten years, but he also was a contender for Rookie of the Year in 1989 and in 1991 Abbott came in third place for the highly coveted Cy Young Award {for those clueless regarding all things baseball that means he was in contention for the title of best pitcher in the league that year}.

So fuck being realistic. Be real; real to yourself. That's all that matters. Let the haters do what they do best. After all, the hatred they spew is nothing more than a projection of the way they feel inside about themselves. They'll never accomplish anything in their lives until they can shed their snake skin and become rejuvenated and ready to attack the world in a positive way.

-- Christopher Lane Johnson aka The Authentic Blue Collar Gangster