Let’s face it. Getting rejected can sting! Who in the world enjoys being rejected? Other people can say or do cruel, mean and hurtful things while others are simply sharing their opinion, not really knowing how their words or lack thereof can positively or negatively infect the lives of others. And in this day and age of social media, in which everyone is hiding behind a screen, opinions are getting more and more judgmental and outright mean as we speak.
But here’s the key that we all must understand while on our journey of success:
All good will be attacked.
But here’s the other kicker:
It’s not what happens to you in life; it’s what you do about it.
So it’s safe to say that no matter what you do or how good you do it, someone will ALWAYS have something negative to say about you, your cause or your business. This is a FACT.
Nevertheless, that does not change that it can hurt and if we are not careful we can allow the opinions of others to determine our joy, peace, happiness or self-worth. To that I say, “No more!”
I was at an event recently where I felt compelled in my heart (and I know God enough to know that this is how He usually speaks to me) to share an abusive relationship from my past. I didn’t think about it, I just did what I knew I was supposed to do. But a few minutes after I shared my piece, I started to hear those annoying voices of doubt. “What are these people going to think about me?” or “Should I have said anything?” or “I don’t want anyone to judge me to think that I am weak.”
As soon as those thoughts crept their way into my mind, another set of thoughts took over. “Maria, you are serving God. Is God mad at you for doing this? Does God still love you? Do you believe you were serving God? So why the heck does it matter to you if these people judge you or not. You are serving God and not the opinions of other people.”
I immediately felt better. I knew which voice I needed to listen to. Not to mention, I ended up receiving several different “thank-you’s” from other women who had experienced the same thing but who were too ashamed to share. In that moment, I gave other women courage and here I am worrying about what other people may think of me. Smh…
I share this story with you to show you that the only opinion that mattered at that moment was my own. I could have allowed other people’s “perceived” notions of me to make me feel insecure or unworthy but I refused to.
So what’s the point? On your journey of success, personal development and embracing your legacy, you are going to have plenty of people who will have negative opinions of you. The best thing to do is to accept that as part of the process and remember that your security is never to be contingent upon other’s people opinion or support of you.
People. We are fickle nowadays. One day we support something and the next day we will tear that person’s character apart with hateful words. Getting judged by others is just as certain as winter coming after fall. Just as you prepare for the winter (because unfortunately it is coming), is the same way that you should prepare to deal with negative commentary.
How you deal with it is your business. I deal with it knowing that my worth, security and value comes from God and He is filled with love for me – no matter what I do. He has called me and predestined me. So if I’m good enough for God, then I’m good enough for me. I let Him handle all the naysayers and continue to focus on my journey of becoming better.
I leave you with this. What makes you secure? What makes you whole? Once you love all of who you are, then you can better deal with the opinion of others. Remember that no one else’s opinion of you should ever change your opinion of you.
XOXO,
Maria I. Melendez
@embraceherlegacy