Just because you killed Jesse James…
“Just because you killed Jesse James, don’t make you Jesse James.”
– Mike Ehrmantraut to Walter White, Episode 3, Season 5 of Breaking Bad.
Just because you’ve shot down my idea doesn’t mean yours is better. Defending the status quo can be necessary, but mostly it’s an excuse to stay trapped in our fear.
Just because you sit in judgment of all the “idiot” drivers and “slothful” welfare recipients and “feckless” politicians, doesn’t actually do anything. Though your fragile ego may get a hit for a few seconds, putting others down isn’t a solution. And it certainly adds nothing to the level of discourse.
Tearing down something else isn’t the same as your building something worthy or interesting. So instead of complaining, let’s see your plan.
Being the critic is mostly a place to hide from the hard work of leading us to something new and meaningful. So instead of judging, let’s hear your ideas.
Eliminating the competition may make life easier for a bit, but eventually our art, our projects, our passions have to stand on their own merits.
The universe is listening. And waiting.

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