FEAR

Right now, they are ripping me apart on YouTube

The new video I posted this week currently has over 120,000 views & 1,000 comments. The momentum started with people who loved the video, but many haters have shown up as the audience has grown.

HERE'S THE VIDEO

There are hundreds of angry, cruel comments about me. Some people are calling me the worst names you can imagine.

Ironically, the video is about empathy & kindness.

A year ago, this would have really hurt my feelings. I’m a sensitive person. But today I feel anchored to a solid place, and I’m not troubled.

This quote by President Theodore Roosevelt has helped me. I’m grateful to Brene Brown for sharing it:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood.”

Every day of my life, I am in the arena. Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose. But I am in the battle.

I value the opinions of trusted warriors & people I know are also engaged in the arena of growth, compassion, & success.

Most of these negative YouTube comments are from people sitting in the cheap seats of the arena, hurling criticism without ever trying to do something extraordinary in their own lives. I’m not angry with them. I don’t have negative judgement for their choices.

But their opinions do NOT get a voice in my head any more.

This perspective has been so helpful to me.

Today, I can look at their venom as the fuel that is continuing to push the video toward viral impact. The more they post outrage in the comments, the more the algorithm of YouTube shares the video with others. Engagement sparks viewership.

And then the video is shared with more people who can be helped by it. These are many of the people writing the heartfelt, loving comments.

I also have faith that the video is planting a seed in people’s hearts, even if they are responding with hate at this moment.

Thanks to everyone who is in the arena with me. You are amazing.

I am grateful to be surrounded by so many beautiful warriors!