This is my honest truth speaking.
In your life, there will always be people that you don't get along with. There will always be those that dislike you for absolutely no reason and those that don't agree with you. And you know what? That is OK! We all weren't meant to get along, hold hands with one another and sing Kumbaya. We all have our own differences, our beliefs and values, but can't we at least respect one another, try to understand each other and be civil? I'm tired of pointless and constant drama that I don't need in my life. I’m definitely tired of seeing and hearing about all of it that’s happening to those around me, around the world. I'm sure we all are.
Now, this is different from what is right and what is wrong. I'm not talking in the perspective of, for example, someone thinking murder or sexual assault is OK and others thinking it's not (which it's absolutely not). I'm talking more about your peers, the community around you, even yourself, that criticizes you, gossips about you and/or causes trouble for you for their own personal pleasure. Here is an open letter to all the haters out there in my life, in my loved one’s life, my peers' lives, my community and around the world:
Thank you for making my existence feel unworthy and unclean. I enjoy every day knowing that you could care less about those around you because you feel the need to step on others to please yourself. Not only am I thrilled about the fact that you’re an asshole to me, but you’re also one to those I care about. Actions speak louder than words, but it seems to me that both are keeping me wide awake at night, crying to the one object that keeps my safe while I’m cuddled like a cocoon, keeping the dangers and the unpleasantness outside my life. I not only experience this, but I also see it all around me, to those I care about and to those I don’t even know. Although I fancy the thought of you thinking about me, it’s not worth the agony I experience on a day to day basis. I doubt myself and who I am as a person because of your words and your actions.
Today, I stand. I am standing against your unkindness, thoughtless and unmeaningful ways towards me and those around me. If you think that I can be pushed around because I’m 'nice', 'loving', and 'easy-going', then you’re absolutely wrong! I may be fun-loving and caring towards people, but you, right now, do not deserve the unconditional love I can provide. I can say a million things about you and about how much I dislike you. I could seek revenge and build hatred up deep within. But you know what? It’s not worth it to me. You, the person who tears me apart limb from limb, are worth living for you are a human being as well with your own secrets and sins, but you are not worth my emotional pain.
I am worth it! Those I love and care about are worth it! Those who are being put down every day around the world are worth it! Because we are worth it, I will seek truth and the light through your harsh words, immaturity, and hatred. Your needles that stab me a thousand times a day will be the strength that I use to stand firm and believe in myself. It will be the needle I hold to sew back the broken pieces that you’ve left shattered. You, my hater, is going to be my motivator. I want to be the best that I can be, but that will not happen if I let you linger deep within my mind. So, I will cut the negativity out. Easier said than done, but I will do it for me. I will stand up for myself and love myself because I am me. I’ll take the words you use against me as a way to self-reflect and encourage myself to be a better me. I’ll grow stronger and wiser because I am able to love myself, stay grounded for myself, and understand that not everyone can and will be as kind-hearted and open-minded as we know they can be.
Each day, I will work on myself so that I can not only feel good and live my life to the fullest potential, but so that I can also be courageous enough to protect those who have the same open scars, broken pieces as I do… as I did. To my haters, I hope by reading this you’ll understand that pushing me down will only hurt you more. I pray for you every day that you’ll realize how much you’ve hurt me and that one day, you’ll self-reflect and realize how much you’ve hurt yourself. Although you’ve struck me countless times in the beginning, I will come out as strong as ever in the end."
