by Maria Sirois

Goethe said this: “Tell a wise person or else keep silent.” I say this: Tell only the choir about the transformation you are seeking, or else keep it to yourself. Too often, the inspiration behind change becomes weakened when we speak about it too early to the wrong kind of person. The wrong kind of person may be the person who loves us but doesn’t want us to become happier or healthier. He or she might be someone we work with who happens to have an opinion about everything, and most of the time, it’s a negative one. Or the wrong person is the person who, out of fear or anxiety, simply makes it harder to stay on track for ourselves. They suggest that you have tried other approaches and failed. They remind you that they themselves have had no luck shifting their habits or mindsets. And they seem to be most alive when they can comfort you in your pain, instead of celebrating with you in your successes. Tell only those who are truly there for you and who are willing to be vulnerable in their joy, appreciation, commitment, and encouragement with you and on your behalf. Change is crucial to growth, and we want to be on the journey with those who can bring their whole positive hearts and minds to the climb with us. Everyone else? They just don’t need to know.

Dr. Maria Sirois, PsyD, is the Vice President of Curriculum at Wholebeing Institute and an inspirational speaker, seminar leader, and author who has worked at the intersections of wellness, psychology, and spirituality for nearly 20 years. As a wellness guide, Maria has been invited to keynote throughout the country at conferences for wellness centers, hospitals, hospices, philanthropy, business, academic and corporate institutions, as well as for the general public. She has been called both a “true teacher” and “an orator of great power and beauty.” Her book, “Every Day Counts: Lessons in Love, Faith, and Resilience from Children Facing Illness, was published in 2006.”