People will try to pull you down, but you need to fight the

Hear the words of Vivek Oberoi, spoken with the clarity of one who has known the weight of trials: “People will try to pull you down, but you need to fight the negativity in your life. It’s always good to stay positive and think positive.” This is not merely a reflection upon human nature, but a call to arms for the spirit. For in every age, there are forces—whether of envy, hatred, or doubt—that rise against those who strive. To resist them is not optional; it is the very condition of living with courage.

The heart of this teaching lies in the struggle between light and shadow. Negativity is the shadow that creeps into the soul, whispering of failure, magnifying wounds, and feeding upon fear. It may come from others, in the form of insult or betrayal, or it may come from within, as doubt and despair. Yet Oberoi reminds us that such shadows need not rule us. To stay positive is to carry the torch that scatters darkness, to refuse to surrender one’s joy to the malice or despair of others.

The ancients knew this battle well. They told of Hercules, who faced not only monsters of flesh but also the scorn and suspicion of men who doubted him. Though many tried to pull him down with envy and fear, he pressed forward with strength, completing his labors and proving that greatness is forged not only in physical struggle, but in the endurance of the heart. His triumphs were not merely victories over beasts, but victories over the negativity of those who sought to belittle him.

History too bears witness. Consider Mahatma Gandhi, who faced ridicule, imprisonment, and the constant opposition of those who wished to see him fail. Yet he refused to let bitterness consume him. Instead, he remained steadfast, staying positive, seeing in every act of suffering an opportunity to awaken compassion and justice. Though people tried to drag him down with violence and scorn, his faith in truth and nonviolence turned their hatred into the very soil from which freedom grew.

Yet Oberoi’s words also carry a warning. Many, when faced with negativity, choose the easy path of surrender. They allow anger to fester, they echo bitterness with bitterness, and in doing so, they become the very thing they resist. This is why it is not enough merely to fight—one must fight with positivity, refusing to let the poison of others corrode the heart. To meet hatred with hatred is to be conquered; to meet it with hope and endurance is to overcome.

The lesson for us is clear: there will always be those who seek to drag us into the mud, but the choice to rise remains our own. To think positive is not naïve—it is the discipline of the strong. It is the refusal to give power to those who seek our downfall. Just as the oak tree withstands storms by sending its roots deeper, so must we strengthen ourselves when winds of doubt and envy howl against us.

Practical steps flow from this wisdom. When others speak ill of you, answer not with anger but with calm, focusing on your purpose rather than their scorn. Each morning, set your mind on positive intentions—gratitude, kindness, determination—and let these guide your steps. Surround yourself with voices that uplift rather than voices that poison, and practice silence when negativity tries to draw you into fruitless quarrels. In this way, you transform every attack into an opportunity to grow.

So remember Oberoi’s counsel: “People will try to pull you down… it’s always good to stay positive and think positive.” Take it as your shield and your sword. For the world is filled with shadows, but those who carry light within them cannot be conquered. Endure, shine, and in your steadfastness, you will become a beacon to others still struggling against the dark.