Imagine being ahead the entire time you thought you were behind. How does that feel? For me it felt like relief and yes, some amusement. I have been doing a particular thing along with others who were ahead. And there were others way ahead of us. It baffles me when you seemingly introduce a thing to some and they are like, “What? Nah. No thanks” or what is worse to me, they look down on what you do. Only to discover a few years later, they are doing what you now do! Suddenly, it’s of value. Suddenly, it’s not so foreign after all. Suddenly, it’s cool and popular.

I’ve often been ahead of the fashion or known to switch it up and go against the trend. Mostly, I am just being me. I forget there are entire movements, new things, new concepts and ideas, or old ones being recycled and remixed from the ages, or discoveries constantly being introduced in the present. And I forget, there are people looking at those pioneers, inventors, daredevils, creatives with strange looks and snobbery. Some things aren’t popular unless someone populars “okays” it or it just, by some way of magic, catches on.

I have told this story before but here it goes. I started selling chocolate covered strawberries some years ago. There was this woman in this church that would ask me every year around Valentine’s Day, “Are you still selling THOSE strawberries? Anybody can make them.” Her sister would by them and she would frown up. One day, her sister called me and asked me about making some. I said yes but her she forgot to hang up the phone. Well, her sister was there and began to badmouth me and her sister for buying them. I never mentioned it.

A few years later, the lady who bad mouthed me had a guy friend. She sent a message through a mutual acquaintance for me to make her some berries and deliver to her friend. I was shocked and amused. It humors me everytime.

I try to be mindful of my response to others’ creative avenue and process, business ideas, and concepts. When it doesn’t make sense in my mind, I try not to insult or give weird looks. If it’s not for me, I just move on. For the most part. I mean it can’t be so outrageous and immoral. I probably would never buy chocolate dipped ants but, if you want to eat those, go right ahead. I’m not going to insult the business owner. I’m not going give the owner weird looks or drive by yelling, “YUCK!” Someone wants it. It’s legal. They are making a profit to support themselves. Alrighty, then.

So, when people do these things to you, just remember it’s okay because you may be ahead of the crowd, your circle or community and have not a clue until they catch up with you.

~Nikki