It’s so easy to spot the negative in things, isn’t it? To zero in on the flaws, the risks, and all the “what-ifs” that could go wrong. But this week, over a cup of coffee with Mike, the previous owner of Door County Candle, I was reminded of the incredible power in choosing to see the good instead.
I was talking to someone about starting Luba Libations (our new non-alcoholic drink brand named after my grandma), and their response hit me like a brick: “That’s a competitive market—good luck.” No excitement, no encouragement, just doubt. And it stung.
It brought me back to when I wanted to open the Candle Bar at Door County Candle. I heard the same kind of skepticism then, too. People were quick to say, “That’s risky,” or “What if it doesn’t work?” But you know what? They didn’t stop to think about what could work. They didn’t stop to imagine the joy, the success, the beauty of what could be.
And that’s the thing—it’s so easy for people to find problems. It’s easy to say, “This might fail,” or “That’s a tough market.” But what if, instead of tearing people down with our doubts, we lifted them up with our belief in them? What if we chose to see the potential, the possibility, the good?
I get it. We all have our own fears, our own uncertainties. But here’s the truth: your doubts don’t need to be someone else’s burden. When someone shares their dream with you, it’s a gift. They’re trusting you with their hope, their vision, their heart. Don’t crush it with negativity.
Instead, be the person who says, “I believe in you.” Be the person who sees the light in their idea, even if it’s just a flicker. Be the person who reminds them of what could go right.
Because the world doesn’t need more critics. It needs more encouragers. It needs more people who choose to see the good, even when it’s easier to see the bad.
So this week, I challenge you to be that person. When someone shares their dream, don’t meet them with doubt. Meet them with hope. Meet them with love. Meet them with the kind of belief that makes them feel unstoppable.
Because you never know—your words might be the spark that keeps their dream alive.
With all my heart,
💛Christiana
