Does anyone really know how hard it is to rise above, and battle through the nay-sayers? I do. Took me awhile. Amanda Smith Wyoming.

Some people lack in courage to speak up, stand firm, or maintain their own opinions. They live and breathe to make sure they side with those who intimidate the most, so as not to stir conflict for themselves. Lest they too end up in the endless judgements of uneducated people conversing in small, but boisterous circles.

I mean, who wants to stand up for someone if it means they themselves might be looked down upon, right? Wrong.

You are allowed your own opinion, you do not need to make excuses for it, or downplay your own feelings just so you can stay within your comfort zone of the nay-sayers. They are not as strong as you think they are.

You do not have to distance yourself from people who are truly your friends, just because you fear being looked down on by the nay-sayers. They are not as loyal as you think they are.

You are not expected or even asked to forgive AND allow the forgiven act to continue to happen, and then forgive again and again and again. You, after forgiving, are allowed to distance yourself from that which you are continuously expected to forgive.

You do not need to let the expectations of others, weigh you down. You do not need to live your life for anybody else's approval but your own, and God's above.

If you are hiding just to keep the nay-sayers at bay, then climb out from behind your hiding place and raise your chin up to God, knowing that He is what matters, knowing that You are already perfect in His eyes, no matter what anyone else says, thinks or does. Come out from your hiding place knowing that He has your back, and start concentrating on YOU and the people around you who love you with consistency, loyalty, and without condition; and forgive (and then distance yourself from) those that can't, don't and won't.

Then take a deep breath, move forward with your day, and live your life!