Beech Tree News Network

Steal My Sunshine: How do you handle it when someone tries to steal your joy? Most of us second guess ourselves, stress a bit perhaps.  I think that’s human nature.  After some of that, we may go ahead with our original plan.  Stepping on people’s dreams, saying what someone likes or wants isn’t something you can achieve are things you should just never buy into. 
I really don’t know why people do it.  Does it make them feel better about themselves? If so, that’s very small-minded on their behalf.  I must say that what I value the most in people is kindness.  If you’re kind, not being mean or trying to steal someone’s joy, that will take you a long way in life. 
The NCAA Final Four is this weekend.  Every college basketball fan is excited-especially fans in Michigan State, Duke, Wisconsin and Kentucky.  Well, most people in Kentucky. Others could care less, which is totally alright.  What’s not alright, at least in my book, is people who try to steal your joy of the weekend, steal your sunshine, because they hate Kentucky.  I could go on the typical “how are you going to hate on 17 and 18 year-olds” rant, but I’d just be wasting my breath.  I know, any comparison of basketball and life is small potatoes, I suppose.  If, however, a non-baseball fan went off on baseball, or substitute any other sport in this scenario, and there’d most likely be outrage.
Joy stealers will be ignored.  It’s certainly not easy, but it must be done.  Otherwise, you’ll get sucked into some petty argument and go crazy.  You’ll soon become the guy (or gal) who replies to every negative thread and think “I got you now”.  You never “get” anyone.  Arguments are normal.  Allowing someone to steal your sunshine is not normal. 
I think that if you feel strongly enough about something, chances are you will not allow people to steal your joy.  And then there’s the old episode of Two and a Half Men where Alan stole Charlie’s girlfriend.  Charlie played mind games and Alan said “you’re not taking this away from me”.  Charlie then put a negative idea in his head and Alan said “S.O.B., he took it away from me”.  So I leave you with this: be stronger than Alan Harper.