You Be You

I received an email once that said, "I turn the station every time I hear you on the radio and now I won't listen to that radio station anymore." How nice! Truth is, it didn't matter that HUNDREDS of people had praised what I was doing on the radio, telling me they love it and that I actually make their day better.....no, it was that ONE person with that one negative comment that wrecked my day.

It reminds me of a quote:  "There are billions of people on this planet so you're really going to let one of those people ruin your day?"

The more I'm in the public eye, the more I subject myself to these hateful comments. It's part of the gig. Knowing that some of my peers also deal with these types of encounters, I knew I had to define what drives these mean, nasty people.

This little piece is about haters.

We all have them. We don't want them hanging around, but they are there. The more successful and happy we are in our lives, the more the haters come out of the woodwork like little ants looking for a spilled-over pile of sugar.

Let me come right out and say this:  It is plain-stinkin' obvious when people don't like you. Some will come right out and tell ya! Their harsh words bite. Words fly out of them that they hope stick to the largest part of your heart. They are the "loud ones" and usually hope for an immediate reaction from you. They like to be heard. They yearn to feel important. They blow up social media or rant constantly to others until their audience eventually tunes them out.

But then there are those others.....the "quiet ones".....the kind that try not to make their ugly feelings towards you look so obvious. In fact, ironically, they can be somewhat nice to your face! What?! They THINK you have no idea how they really feel. But, YOU DO. And you play along (with others, of course, who have them all figured out too).

You try to be kind even knowing their true feelings about you because it's the right thing to do in your eyes. You recognize they don't like your successes. You recognize they don't like the way others like you. Or treat you. Or talk about you. They probably hate your children just because they are hating on you. You know that they want you to burn so badly down a dark and scary pit of fire-ish hell. But you smile at them and say hello to them still.

For heaven's sake, you compliment them! Why? Because you also recognize, that deep down, they are unhappy with themselves and carry a lot of discontentment towards their life. Most haters do. Insecurities flood their mind. They are so outraged over your shiny, new red balloon and yet they don't even realize that you could care less about the damn balloon, it's size, or it's color. And the funnier thing is, you don't stack yourself up against them like they do you. Or anyone for that matter. Strength? Ironically, you actually hope they succeed and find happiness in life....because that's who you are! It's maturity. Wisdom. It's growth. It's God.

Yes, it's unfortunate that the "loud ones" and the "quiet ones" can't be happy and cheer on others in this world. Like all my readings say, we are all simply just dust in the end anyways. But they forget that. Regardless of their actions and/or words, you keep moving forward and you keep building. You pick your own battles (not this one!). They have inspired and fueled you and they don't even know it. You keep them rolling their big 'ole ugly eyes into the back of their heads and you pray for them. You be you.

Does this make me feel better about the woman (loud one) who my voice annoys? Dang straight.