Back then in elementary school, leisure was only about having a bit of a sugary and creamy combination that leaves good memories during recess. Our definition of ‘break time’ was not about relaxation but an avenue to lay our hands on a delicious ice cream. The seller of the ice cream was most often than not our best friend irrespective of his or her age. His/her presence on campus made us happy and his/her absence was badly felt.

But as I write this piece , my relationship with that ice cream seller is nothing but a memory recounted from my days in elementary school. I remember ice cream sellers were loved, smiled at and liked by all simply because they (ice cream sellers) always want to make people happy.

As I add numbers to my age, I have realized that most people are caught up in the trap of selling ice cream in real life situations. The question is, who is an ice cream seller?
In simple terms, they are the people who try to satisfy the demands of all those who come their way – always want to see the people around them happy with their physical presence. They hate critics and frown on change. With the complexity of human behavior, meeting the demands of all is herculean a task and could lead to a compromise.

In making people around us happy, we are more likely to suppress our believes, norms and values in order to meet their demands and expectations. You might be deceiving yourself that people like you and for that matter, persistently, you want to make them happy by any means possible. Consistently, you became a victim of indecisions because you might change your behavior to suit how they want you to be – and you settle for less of your capabilities. Selling an ice cream alienates you from yourself. Your actions, thoughts and behaviors are externally motivated and you become a pretender so that people will like you. The reality is, you cannot make everyone happy. Even with selling ice creams, some people prefer less sugar to more and you can have some challenges with meeting their demands too.

In the course of life, there may be people who will hate you for who you are and for what you do but that doesn’t mean you should set your standards so low to harbour mediocre thoughts of people. No matter how you live your life, people are going to criticize it, lambast you for doing certain things your way but that’s not enough reason to stop being you. Embrace critics that will shape your life and not those that will make you settle for less than your potentials all in the name of making someone happy. The best motivation in life is intrinsically triggered.

Maybe previously you have been selling ice cream but it’s better late than never – you can breakaway from that chain. The first indicator for you to know that you are no longer selling ice cream is that, you will lose friends. I mean friends you have  stayed connected to for a while. Their proximity to you may begin to widen as you shut down the ice cream business.

This will be an opportunity for you to nurture yourself and be that person you always wanted to be but for selling of ice cream. You will no longer live a life that seeks to please someone. You don’t have to make everyone happy as you give your life a true meaning and a proper reflection of who you are.

You are worth more than being an average person. Speak life into your life and walk into the steps of realizing your full potential. Selling an ice cream is quite a limitation to self-awareness and control.
SHUT THAT BUSINESS, DOWN!