"Not Everyone Cheering Is Truly Happy for You."??

VT once said, “Not everybody watching you is cheering.” It’s a harsh truth, but not everyone clapping as you step out of your comfort zone genuinely wants to see you win. We encourage each other to break barriers and to chase dreams—but society doesn’t guarantee us safety or even support when we do.

Society and shallow thought process have programmed many to sit on the fence. Some people sit on the sidelines, not willing to take a chance on you as you begin. They wait in the shadows, watching silently, only to jump on your bandwagon if you succeed or to hurl stones the moment you stumble. If you falter, they don’t ask for your side of the story; instead, they quickly whisper, They go, "We've always known he is such an unfortunate and a bad fellow.. “I knew it would fail; They go all out to paint a very bad image of you until they are satisfied. I always knew he wasn’t cut out for this.” These are people who once shared your table but now paint you as a failure without ever extending a hand or ever reach out to hear your side of the story.

If you’re fortunate, they disappear, and we think our prayers for peace have been answered. But sometimes they don’t just disappear. Instead, they hope you live small, pitiful, stay quiet, bury your dream, or even that you give up entirely, so they can feel justified in their doubts and assumptions about you. forgetting that their good expectations can't be met while you're down.

Yet, if you rise again—stronger, wiser, and determined to move forward—something in them reignites, some try to pull you down again, others wait for a new chance to attach themselves. It’s a cycle of hidden intentions and unspoken envy.

All of this is to tell you that your journey to growth won't be an easy one. But you must be willing to take all the chance. True resilience isn’t just succeeding; it’s overcoming the stones and smiles that weren’t genuine and moving forward no matter who cheers or who doubts.

"If you’re facing tough times, don’t give up. Just give it time. Keep showing up, keep moving forward. Make every day intentional and focused, and remember—excellence doesn’t need a big stage. The small, consistent steps you’re taking now can shine brightly, showing others what resilience looks like. You don’t have to pretend to be more than you are. Make excellence your lifestyle, so even the little things you do become a big deal. And stay ready for whatever comes your way. You’re not weak, you’re not a failure. You’re deserving of all the good this world has to offer. Keep going.

Your brother,

Stephen Akorede.

#lightishere #iRest