The 2 Cheerleaders

A cautionary tale

Somewhere down the line

You will meet your cheerleader.

This person will make you feel a million dollars.

You will feel alive, lit, like you are capable of anything.

They will make you feel heard, seen, the only person in the room.

They will make you feel intelligent, engaging, beautiful or handsome, funny, talented, unstoppable.

You will be - understandably - dazzled by their attention.

Their singing of your praises.

The interest they show you.

After all, you’re just little ’ole you and no-one else ever saw anything special before, right?

And, when you encounter said cheerleader.

Here’s what to do.

You take it all with

A HUGE PINCH OF SALT.

That’s right.

Observe but do not absorb.

Let their words run off you like rain droplets off an umbrella.

Why?

Because even if they are sincere, it is way too easy to become addicted to the compliments, shows of love. Their encouragement and celebration of you.

And it is a switch that can be flicked on and off at will.

Once you hold your value or future hostage to the whim of another, you cultivate an unhealthy dependency. Your mood will depend on their mood, the time they give you. their appreciation of you.

Their cheerleading.

And sometimes, they put the pom-poms down, walk away, and find a whole new game.

They take away their light, and you are left alone with your dark.

And how much darker and colder the world then seems, after having basked in their sun.

The good news is, there is a second cheerleader.

Stronger and more reliable.

They won’t find you.

You must find them.

They too, will do all the things the first one did. Give you those same feelings of worth, strength and confidence.

You usually find them sometime after having encountered the first. After you’ve picked yourself back up from the hole you were left in.

They’re typically a little more reserved at first, often need coaxing. Doesn’t always come natural to spur you on or wish you well.

But once you have them on board, they will never stop rooting for you, reminding you of both your achievements and potential.

Best of all, you never have to say goodbye, so long as you put the work in.

So, how do you meet this amazing loyal supporter?

You may have already guessed.

It’s simple.

It happens when you decide.

One day, you’ve simply had enough and find yourself looking your new cheerleader straight in the eye.

In the mirror.