"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" is an all too familiar phrase that I'm sure we have all heard at one time or another in our lives. What about "You are what you eat". OR how about this one: "You are what people say you are". The last one most of us can look at it and think or say "That is a very ridiculous". But is it? I for one started to believe that. When I was in Grade seven, all my girl friends decided to drop me and "de" friend me. This abandonment turned into harassment when we all entered grade 8 and continued right up until grade 12. The words from these particular girls were not life giving, nor encouraging but rather belittling and degrading. I started to believe these words about myself. Enduring teenager "hood" is challenging enough without having to embark negative words said against and to you. Unfortunately these words haunted me for about 15 years. Finally I had to make a choice: to fully accept and LIFE who I really was, or continue my life believing the negative words. I continue to walk forward with my life and work on not caring what people are thinking. Looking back, because of the harsh behaviour towards me has made and forced me to be strong, and confident, and compassionate. However I had to make that CHOICE. Don't waste anymore time believing negative words spoken against you, or to you.
One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals. And so when I hear about negative and false attacks, I really don't invest any energy in them, because I know who I am.
- Michelle Obama
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
- Eleanor Roosevelt
Tammy B
