The Optimist (excerpt)

People will generally accept you in a place of mediocrity, but when you spring out of that level, think big, muscle up, do big, they will shun you for mustering courage to step out of that zone. Their problem is basic: they are defeated by your efforts, bitter because they’d like to be where you are, but cannot muster enough courage. They look at you now, but blindfold their eyes to your place of departure (where you come from/what you've been through). They will envy you, desire to be who you are, but will not rejoice with you for being where you are. So you have to leave the old bitter friends, and make new friends with those of your new environment-the new place you've challenged yourself to be. No doubt that the saying goes, "as you move forward in life, you may need to change your circle of friends. Everyone around you isn't interested in seeing you improve." Once you've stepped out of that level of mediocrity, do not weep about this friend or that friend has left me. If they were your genuine friends, they’d either take a ride with you or glory with you. And be rest assured that most times, these friends will morph into chameleons; from friends to fiends, from joyous to envious, from blunt to shun. Some people would be interested in all that happens to you, basically want you to become a sister/brother to them, but they won’t want to be a sister/brother to you. These attitudes may stir you, but oh boy, do not be shaken.

Andrea.B