Wow, what a title you might think!  Well it’s the outgrowth of days of being bombarded with ‘negative’ garbage from folks I label as “bloodsuckers!”

Most of us are acquainted with the term “the dreamstealers!”  If you’ve read anything of Bruce Wilkerson or been involved in the direct sales industry, you’ve heard this term.  Those are the folks who say things like - “oh that won’t work” - when you share your dreams and visions with them.  They are an annoyance to say the least.

I’m not talking about that kind of blip on our 2nd half of the journey radar.  I’m talking about folks who literally seek to suck our confidence, courage, creativity and positive mental attitude from us everytime we encounter them!

I’m talking about the folks that never have a positive word to speak to us.  I’m talking about folks who think they’re in charge (when they’re not) and try to bully the ‘anointed leaders’ for whatever reason they think they can or should.  I’m talking about folks who with a glance or tone of a syllable can cut us off at the knees or think they can!  And finally, I’m talking about those who purport to be our friend, colleague, associate, advisor or team member when in reality they’re just waiting for the chance to ’steal’ what we’ve worked hard to build.

Am I angry?  Yes, you better believe it!  The “bloodsuckers” in life can yank our chains until we either explode all over them and ourselves or we say “it’s not worth it!”

I had a simple conversation last evening with a man and we talked about how men and women relate differently to others of the same gender.  It was a lively discussion with much laughter and considerable serious undertones.  He made a startling remark that was, sadly, all too true. 

“Women are more likely to cut each other up while pretending to be your friend or in the name of “total honesty” than men are!”  Whew, I thought.  That’s quite a statement. 

Just as I was about to rebute his remark, I remembered conversations I’ve had with women over the past month that sucked the positive life source right out of me.  I remembered thinking, “does she ever say anything positive?”  I recalled being chastened by an ‘underling’ for making a decision that was mine to make to which she disagreed.

“You’re right in so many ways,” I responded.  What he was pointing out to me was that men don’t let things fester as women may.  Men simply ‘lay it out there’; agree to disagree or part company; and then go on with the business of life.  We women (myself included) tend to let it fester - smile and pretend we love everyone and then cut each other to ribbons either openly or to others.  And we often do it in the name of honesty or some other pious-sounding phrase.

We all do it - from time to time.  We all let the frustration rise to the boiling point and then it spews everywhere. 

I had to step back from the conversation on the drive home and wonder what was happening in the lives of the women who I’d allowed to suck life force from me - that created the situation in the first place.  Is it our need to build ourselves up by taking others down to “size”?  Is it that those who rise to leadership are sitting ‘targets’ for those who have yet to reach the summit?

I don’t have the answer.  I just know that we can lick the wounds made by “bloodsuckers” or we can confront the situation before hurt, anger & frustration reaches the boiling point.  And it certainly makes sense to do so before we’re ready to throw in the towel.

My sincere desire for AWP and AWI women is that we will grow into a community of women who “fill each other’s cups“.  And that we’ll be savvy enough to recognize a “bloodsucker” before he or she has drawn too much from us.

So pay attention as you travel the 2nd half of the journey and when someone with a ravenous tongue; words like fangs or hidden behind a mask meets you on the road. . . . keep on walkin’.

Have an awesome day with much that enriches, encourages & empowers you!

Linda, a fellow journeyer