Fighting Harder

What do you do when someone belittles the things that you do? It's not just the things that you do, but it's your life's work? Should you let them know that they got to your head? Or prove them wrong no matter what?

Many people have succumb to their dreams and goals because what others have said about their lives, past and/or current situations. What are the reasons that opposers and haters say such hateful things? Jealousy? Envy? Misunderstandings? Different circumstances? Or just simple confused state of mind? Whatever the reason are, there is no need to focus on the negativity of such BS. True, it may put a scar in your pride and make you question your purpose on this planet Earth. But before you throw in the towel on your precious aspirations, just think about and remember the ones who invested in not only you but your life work?

Mommy, daddy, grammie, grandaddy, auntie, uncle, close cousins, best friends from preschool, co-workers, your spiritual siblings, and the one who is always there, the Almighty Creator. Next, your education, no matter if you have a high school diploma or a doctorate. Your teachers invested a lot of time and energy to prepare you for the real world. Then again, there are some who may have said or did something unorthodox, but it still gave you the juice to push for the goal. My mommy always tells me to use what I got to get where I'm going.

Instead of letting the negative words of others interrupt the flow of your life work, use that a muse to reach your goals more than ever. Speaking as an aspiring writer, pain is definitely a muse to get the point across and achieve your best work. My favorite example is Janet Jackson's Velvet Rope album because fans of her music get to see the artist for who and what she really is. Angry. Sad. Nervous at times. A human I dare say. She sang about abuse, unseen love, opened the pangs of the human need to be loved and accepted; even if it brings out the best and worst in us.

Let's see more of the best. Even though we can't silence our persecutors and haters, we can conquer their feelings with our success. The worst we can do to those who hate and belittle us is pray for them and keep doing what we do best. As Miss Janet sang in her song, our time has come to rejoice; a new agenda's due!


Photos courtesy of Single Black Male and Essence Magazine.