I routinely collect great stuff from selected sites whose authors I’ve learned to trust. What follows was in my inbox this morning. I want you to read it because our nation right now is being driven by The Boys Down At The Stable–persons who are benefitting from others’ distress and discouragement.
You, 2nd Cupper, are not that kind of individual. You were not made to fade quietly into the background, your life meaningless, your dreams hanging useless like yellowed flypaper hanging in an abandoned garage in the middle of an overgrown field.
You, my friend, rate. You are making a real difference in lives you don’t even know. Your influence, your character shines despite the negative gravity of those who have chosen – chosen – to remain underwhelming and willing to live far beneath their own capabilities. It’s strange; the modern version of ‘the boys down at the stable’ can be employed and able, yet still choose to pal around with other naysaying purposeful nonachievers who’d rather put their effort into making fun of anyone willing to better themselves than to do it in their own lives.
Read the story. Remember the times just like it when it was you making the effort and being sniped at by those unwilling to be uncomfortable long enough to escape their own mental, social and spiritual lethargy.
And then get up and go at it again. Interesting, isn’t it? Sometimes you see yourself cast as ‘Ann’, and sometimes you see yourself as ‘Hap’, speaking reassurance and support into someone else’s life.
Please–read on.
Many years ago a young lady who was attending a seminar shared an interesting story with me. Apparently she and two or three of her girlfriends went and tried out for a place in a stage play. She got the starring role while her girlfriends were not even picked for the supporting cast. Opening night she said she was really excited but afterwards became very disappointed when her girlfriends never came out and supported her. She was explaining the situation to an elderly friend of her fathers named Hap. He wrote her a letter and she gave me a copy with her permission to share it with others. Read it carefully and think.
Dear Ann,
Once upon a time there was a fellow by the name of Al Capp who wrote a comic strip called “L’ll Abner.” Many years ago he had some characters in his strip who lived in a town near Dogpatch. They were the town bums, the n’er do wells, the failures whose whole aim in life was to pass judgement on others. Their criticism and ridicule became so vehement that in time the rest of the people in the town became acutely conscious of it. “The boys down at the stable,” as they were called because that’s where they spent most of their time, soon set the social standards of the town. Nobody could do anything without their sanction.
Because they lived within the structure of their crummy little world, they would laugh and point their fingers at anyone and everyone who tried to be better than they were. As a result the people feared the ridicule of the boys down at the stable so much that they stopped trying. Soon everybody became bums and the town died.
In every social structure, Ann, whether it be family, town, county or state, there are “The boys down at the stable.” They are the jealous ones. They are too scared to try something different. They show their ignorance by laughing at those who do. Learn to recognize them Ann, for what they are. Don’t let them hurt you. It takes a certain amount of toughness to succeed. One has to rise above those who would tear you down so that they can laugh and say, “I told you so!”
There are too many of us who love you and want you to make it. I could put myself at the top of the list. You aren’t going to fall flat on your face as they would have you. You are going to do a superb job. Remember this show is only a small step in the direction of greater things you will do, many of which are beyond your wildest dreams. All you have to do is want to. One of the things I like about you best is that you always give it hell for try.
The show will be a success because of you and others like you who try. There are only winners in the cast. The losers are gathered down at the stable laughing and hoping for your failure. If we could dig down deep inside them, I’m sure we’d find they want to win also, but are too scared to try, and they attempt to cover up their own failures as human beings by laughing at others. In a sense I’m sorry for them. Their guilt must make them very unhappy people.
Much love,
Hap
–from the files of Bob Proctor
Whether you’re Ann or Hap – often both – don’t you dare stop being encouraged and being an encourager merely because someone you thought cared sneers or ignores you.
You are making a lasting difference.
Loving you,
Dan