If there is one thing that I have learned throughout the thirty-three years that I have lived on this Earth, it is that there are some people who choose to live their lives in negativity and drama, rather than happiness. No matter how much I try to please them and regardless of the amount that I placate them – their negativity remains. So if I am to live the life I choose to live – then I have only one choice – to cut them out of my life completely.

Whether they are friends, colleagues, ex-girlfriends – or roommates – if someone in my life is negative – then I simply want nothing to do with them. I have always been a positive person who has chosen to live life to the fullest and enjoy life as much as possible. But if I surround myself with negative people – then I cannot live the life that I choose – which is why I make the decision to eliminate them from my life rather than allow them to live within it.

I have done this many times in the past, and will no doubt have to do it again in the future. Whenever a relationship with someone ends, there is always a bit of sadness associated with that ending. But if someone chooses to end their relationship with me on a negative note – then I have no problem carrying out that ending – and leaving them behind me as I continue to travel down my road of life.

There are times in my past when people I no longer associate with have contacted me, either through e-mails, phone calls – or in-person confrontations – and I have simply ignored their feeble attempts. I have always lived a positive existence and still maintain an optimistic outlook on life despite the many tough times I have lived through. So I have no place in my life for those people who choose to live their lives in sadness and negativity, despite whatever is occurring in their life.

While I have no problem walking away from these people and saying good riddance to them – I do still pity them. There is so much in life that is worth enjoying and so many things that can infuse positivity into people’s lives – yet they choose to remain the way they are. Bishop Hartman, whom I consider to be my spiritual advisor, once told me that I should only allow into my heart and my home those who are worthy – and I couldn’t agree more. I would much rather surround myself with those who choose to live life as I do – looking forward to the road ahead and to what awaits me with optimism and excitement – rather then nothing but misery and sadness.

As harsh as this sounds, I consider everyone who I have severed contact with because of their negativity absolutely dead to me. When I am “done” with a person, nothing they can say or do will ever regain them access into my life. Whenever I meet someone, I always embrace them and introduce them to every aspect of and person in my life. But when they force me to break all bonds with them because of their negative behavior, I simply go on with my life and enjoy it to the fullest with all of the positive people that surround me…

…and forget that they ever existed.