I promised my readers when I started blogging, that I would always be honest– show the good, the bad, and the ugly.
And for that reason, I’m sure you Modern Moms won’t question why I posted this below. Or maybe you might. Who posts hate mail? (And a pretty bad one, to boot.)
I’ve gotta be honest, I can’t think of one single enemy I’ve made along the way in my life. I try to never burn bridges. I root for people’s success. I am kind. And I honestly can’t recall one hurtful e-mail 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 9 PM, I opened up my e-mail (on a desktop computer, there were no Blackberries back then), and I nearly fell of my chair.
Why? Because I didn’t know what I had done to this anonymous person to receive such a nasty note.
I am never one to dwell or waste time on untruths, but this stung and it pissed me off. I started my business with $5,000 I had saved up from working and 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 red cent for my business. To date, no one has EVER put money into my businesses, co-signed for me in business, nor been my guarantor in either of my businesses.
So this was really 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 wrote this, 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?
Obviously, 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 something 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.
Erica Diamond
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