Soon after your article was published, you were hit with some discouraging comments that made you want to quit. That makes two of us.

Recently I had my first article published in the Odyssey. I was pleasantly surprised by the accolades that I received from people all over social media. Apparently, the topic of reevaluating one's use of the word "retarded" struck a chord in many people and, in general, the suggestions in the article was well received. Seeing the impact that my article had made me quite happy and I enthusiastically set to work on my next submission.

This euphoria lasted all of two days... and then it happened. Someone began posting a barrage of negative remarks in response to my article. After wading through the incoherent ramblings, name calling, and false accusations, I was able to discern that he felt that my suggestion to seek an alternative adjective was perceived as an infringement of his freedom of speech.

I had, single-handedly, trampled his First Amendment rights when I offered a list of possible replacements for the "R-Word." He also labeled me with terms such as "social justice warrior" and "snowflake."

Initially, I was offended. That quickly morphed into anger and a burning desire to defend my character and my article.

As my fingers were flying furiously across the keyboard I remembered something that my mom had told me years ago. "Never respond in anger or haste because your words were be those of emotion and not logic. Always read through it two or three times and remove anything that could be perceived as hurtful." So, I did just that. I deleted and revised until my response was practically devoid of all emotion. I responded once and then, literally, walked away.

Unfortunately, this only served to anger him more and his comments started rolling in at a furious pace. I could have argued with him for days and accomplished absolutely nothing. I chose, instead, to take the high road and ignore him until his words became so inflammatory that he was insulting people with disabilities. It was at that point that I decided to delete his comments and end the debacle.

After that experience, I was left feeling a little bit drained. My enthusiasm for writing had been squelched and I was dealing with buckets of self-doubt. This criticism crap was hard to take. Sure, everyone has to deal with it throughout their lives, but in a public forum? That was hard to swallow.

Then I remembered some wise words from a wise man:

"You got enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life."

Boom. Winston Churchill was speaking right to my heart.

So to you, the writer behind the article. Not everyone has to agree with you. As a matter of fact, you probably don't want them to. If everyone agrees with you, then did you truly take a stance? The difference now is that people feel bold. They feel nameless and faceless sitting behind their computer screen. Keyboard warriors, ready to pounce at the slightest provocation because the only consequence (in their mind) is an easily retractable comment followed by the limitless options of a blinking cursor. You can say anything you want, offend whomever you want, and retain your anonymity.

Delving into the world of online content means that you need to have a thick skin. You must be able to distinguish the difference between constructive criticism and bitter ramblings. Our inner sense of what is right and wrong should give us the ability to accept opposing viewpoints without veering away from our own ethical code. With criticism, we learn to respect views that are different from our own. We develop as critical thinkers and are continuously challenged to become better people.

There will always be an "other side." There will always be people who believe that they know what is best. That is our inherent right and, as much as we might dislike the feelings that criticism evokes, we need them in order to grow. Life lessons go beyond mom's advice, textbook excerpts, and scrapes with danger... They are so much more.

If we are going to put our views out into the world of social media then we must be able to accept opposing viewpoints. We do not need to agree with them, but we can learn a great deal from simply listening. Along with the privilege afforded by the First Amendment comes a tremendous responsibility.

We must, as a society, listen to opposing viewpoints and disagree in a polite manner. Anonymity might embolden a shy person to express their views, but it should never be a means for a weak person to be cruel.

Keep doing what you love and let no one take away that excitement.