I was raised to always watch what I say about other people. We all have moments where we make mistakes and say things we regret, but sometimes there are people who come into our lives who constantly drag us down. After entering into the scary world of adulthood, I figured the only things that would be in my way were electrical bills and part-time jobs. Little did I know, I would still have to face individuals who tried to make me miserable every day. However, I don't hate them. I don't even dislike those who treated me badly. Instead, I am thankful because they forced me to become a stronger person.
1. Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for targeting me instead of the girl who can't handle ridicule. I am fortunate to be surrounded by family and friends who believe in me. I've never had the best self-esteem in the world, but I have learned over the years that not everyone will like me. Thank you for not talking about someone who does not have the best self-esteem. I had the courage to still go to class every day, to see you every day, and not be broken by your hatefulness. Not everyone has that capability.
2. Thank you for hiding behind a computer screen. I will admit, it was hard opening my laptop to see sub-tweets and statuses about things I had never done or I had failed to do. It was hard to leave my room every day when I knew every little thing I did would constitute reason for a comment on my appearance or my actions. I hated having people come up to me saying "Is this about you?" pointing to a hateful message on their phone. Thank you for not confronting me in person, because it made you into just an object instead of a person out to get me.
3. Thank you for showing me who my true friends are. I met my best friends because of you. I realized that it was useless to be hurt by your words and actions. You caused me to go out and search for the friends that would last a lifetime. You motivated me to get out of my comfort zone and meet the people who will have my back in the worst situations.
4. Thank you for helping me love myself. I didn't truly love myself until I was bullied. After I heard the things you said, I realized that I disagreed with you. For the first time, I stood up for myself. Thank you for saying those things that hurt me, because I realized that I wasn't the person you said I was. I'll admit, it was hard hearing the hateful words and stories you shared with others about me, but it was then that I realized that I had worth.
5. Thank you for bullying me. There were days that I didn't want to leave my room, and nights that I couldn't fall asleep, but my life is forever changed because of the hateful things you did. This could have destroyed me. I could've stopped trying and accepted that I was the person you made me out to be. However, I didn't. Thank you for turning those hateful words into a motivation that would get me through the hardest time in my life.
