Someone said they hated me this week.  It’s interesting to hear those words and then to hear another person say they love me. I pause with both. It’s not the first time I’ve heard either phrase but this time I wanted to share my heart regarding the tension between the two. 

It stings to be hated, but I can’t choose to let it define me. Truth be told I believe being loved can’t fully define me either. If I build my identity on human praise, I’ll only crumble under their rejection.

I sometimes find myself in places of conflict both internally and externally. I’ve learned if I choose to live with passion, conviction, integrity, and heart, I will be both loved and hated. Understood and misunderstood. Celebrated and criticized. It’s part of our human experience. So I’m reminding myself and whoever needs it that peace is found somewhere deeper than the opinions of others. Not everyone will understand your heart. Not everyone needs to.

I will keep showing up with kindness. I will keep growing. I will keep listening, learning, seeking forgiveness when I get things wrong, and standing firm when necessary.

I am both loved and hated. Maybe some love and hate me at the same time. I think one of the greatest lessons I have ever learned is to have the ability to refuse to find my identity in either one. I’m still a work in progress and that’s okay.
❤️-Stephanie Ellison