I promised my readers when I started this blog, that I would always be honest– show the good, the bad, and the ugly. So, for that reason, you won’t question why I posted this below for a Wisdom Wednesday. Or maybe you might. Who posts hate mail? And a pretty bad one, to boot.

I gotta be honest, I can’t think of one single enemy I’ve made along the way. I try to never burn bridges. I root for people’s success. I am kind. And I honestly can’t recall one hurtful email or tweet I’ve received to date… except this one, from Fred Flintstone, dated many years back.

Allow me to give you some background. I started my first business on August 23, 1999, at 24 years of age. On October 27, 1999 at 9PM,  I opened up my email (on a desktop computer, there were no Blackberries at the time), and I nearly fell of my chair. Why? Because I didn’t know what I had done to this anonymous person, to receive this. I am never one to dwell or waste time on untruths, but this stung me, and pissed me off.  I started my business with $5000 I had saved up from working, got a good line of credit from a bank that believed in my business idea, my projections, and ME. Neither my parents, nor my husband, nor a stranger on the street, ever handed me ONE dollar for my business. To date, no one has EVER put money in my businesses, co-signed for me in business, nor been my guarantor in either of my businesses.

So this was unfair.

Ouch. So, now that you’ve read it, well, the letter reads itself, right? Oh, and in case you don’t speak French, MANGE LA MERDE means ‘eat shit.’

Classy.

I have kept this piece of paper for over 12 years, and I will NEVER throw it out ( I even snapped a picture of the hard copy today, it’s all I have). Why? As a reminder.

A friend once said, “You should hire a computer hacker to uncover who the person is, track them down, and show them what a “failure” you have become.” But I have zero interest in doing so. I’m not angry, and I’m not bitter.

So why post this awful letter for the world to see? It’s because I decided to take Fred Flinstone’s advice and become a hooker. How cool?!

NO! I’m kidding!

I posted it, as a reminder to learn from the haters. To love the haters. Haters keep us grounded. Haters teach us about ourselves. Haters are our voice of reason. Who knows, maybe I was a bitch to someone unintentionally, one bad day.

And the takeaway point for YOU, is that we all have naysayers, or doubters, or haters. Their words can hurt us, haunt us, and tickle our insecurities. The important thing in life, is to take from it, learn from it, but NOT let it stop you. Haters and doubters often make us want to quit or even question our entire life plan. Please, I can only tell you from experience, just work hard, and prove them wrong. Success comes from doing what you love, and working at it daily. Listen to the critics, because there’s much to be learned, but follow your heart. And trust your instincts.

“We women are like angels. When someone breaks our wings we jump on broomsticks. We are versatile like that.” ~Unknown

I’d love to know your thoughts on this. Do you ever let people influence your actions? Do skeptics and naysayers keep you from moving forward? Please share with our community.

xoxEDxox