Everyone needs a cheerleader:

Everyone needs a cheerleader.

Someone who’s in their corner rooting them on.

Supporting them when they’re down.

Believing in their ability to achieve their dreams.

They’re not always around, but some will enter your life that believe in you more than you believe in yourself.

The first time I heard it was from my grandma.

She told me before medical school, ‘you’re going to be a star. You’re gonna change the world.’

Up till then I didn’t hear those things.

Sure your parents may always be on your side, but they never explicitly tell you you're amazing and can do what you want.

No matter how negative the world may feel, the people who support others more than themselves are the real heroes.

People tell each other they love you in their own ways.

Having parents make food for you, buy you things and call all the time are their way of telling you they care about you. They may not always say it explicitly, but it’s always there.

People show love in their own ways but you don’t notice it until you see how people act.

Anyone can tell someone they love them, but until they show them, support them and are truly rooting for their success, how do you know someone loves you?

Particularly during Covid, there were so many people that had no one to turn to. They had no support system. They were alone in their thoughts killing themselves working, eating, drinking or watching TV. They didn’t have people around them that supported them every day.

Even if you don’t have that in your life, if you cheer on other people, you’ll get it back.

You get what you put out into the world. If you put love and support out into the world for your friends and people around you, it’ll come back.

One of my friends was in the dumps. He took a few years out of school and had a family situation that made him turn to vices. Even though we were all around, he still thought he was by himself.

Until he wasn’t. I’m sure there were many moments where he didn’t know where he was going, or what he was going to do with his life. Yet all I could do was be there. 

Support him. 

Trying to be a positive voice in his ear. Telling him how to do certain things. Coaching him through different situations.

But it was so hard because I was thousands of miles away. When you’re not around someone that often, it’s harder to show as much love because technology feels distant. Even though we’re all connected through social media, it feels like we’re more disconnected as a society than ever before.

People don’t go to community centres. They’re not going to church as often. Religion is not as popular amongst the younger populations. They’re not going to parties and bars to meet people. They’re sitting at home where technology has made every vice as easy as a tap on your phone and it’s made them feel lonelier than ever.

So go be a cheerleader for someone. Look for the cheerleaders in your life. Who’s pushing you to be better and who’s holding you back from achieving your dreams. You need cheerleaders in your life and if you can’t find them, go be them for other people.

Root for other people’s success. Their success does not take away from your success. It only adds to it. The more successful people are around you at whatever they do, the more the success rubs off on you. Hearing them pursue their dreams inspires you to live yours.

You need those people who see things you can’t. You need people who tell you to keep going. I’ve been lucky to have a few of them in my life.

People who saw my success before I did. Who knew I was going to do something with my life that’s different from everyone else.

Thank you cheerleaders.

You’ve inspired me to pursue my dreams so other people can pursue theirs.

Now I may have called history.

I didn’t get here with you.

Keep cheering.