Enemies. As soon as the word is said, it kind-of makes you cringe and shake your head, doesn’t it? The connotation surrounding the word might be different for all of us, but most of the time it’s always negative. We’ve all had enemies, and sometimes we’ve been them. I don’t think any of us would willingly ask to have them in our lives, as it’s just an added stressor and source of drama, but what if I told you it was necessary?

First, I’d like to get something straight: enemies are only a good thing in two different but unique cases.

The first instance: you’ll find yourself surrounded by a few enemies when you truly stand up for what you believe in. I used to be terrified of this concept. If people hate me, then how can I believe in something truly good and worthy? However, that’s such a flipped mindset to have. In reality, not everyone has the same beliefs. Nor should they be expected to.

When we find our confidence and express what’s nearest and truest to our hearts, there will be angry people because they know a different truth, one that’s completely opposite. They won’t understand why we believe what we do, and they won’t want to. They’d rather attempt to fix us with hate. (Which, let’s be honest, has never actually worked.)

In those circumstances, let us be a source of love instead. While they choose to cover their ears, let us try to listen to what they’re telling us. We don’t have to conform to their ideology, but at the very least we can understand where they’re coming from and respect them.

The second instance: the more success you find in life, the more enemies you’ll find as well. There are so many people in life who’d rather radiate jealousy than support the ones around them. Maybe it’s easier for them. Maybe they don’t even realize they’re doing it. Whatever the reason, it’s going to happen.

Sometimes, people just aren’t in the same place that we are in life, and can’t understand why or how we continue moving forward. It’s a mystery they might never solve, but one we need to stay away from.

Those who can’t be happy for our success, can’t be a part of our story. Their thoughts are so easy to adopt if we let them. If we’ve worked hard to be somewhere, there’s no reason we should feel bad about the view we’re taking in.

Although I don’t know a lot about life, I do know that we can’t let these negative people win. If we do, things will never move forward. In fact, they’ll take two steps back. Let us remember to always rise above the hate and misunderstanding that surrounds us.