Dear old friend,

A simple talk can destroy someone, anyone. I am someone who works hard in life. And when I finally achieved my biggest goal, which was winning my dream medal ; the King Charles III Coronation medal. I heard somebody whispering and giggling. You were. You, the one and only person I thought I could trust, but not anymore.

I was so proud of myself that day. After a year of hard work, I finally achieved my goal. l had finally won a commemorative prize that showed how people, like myself, made notable contributions to their community.  I was involved in volunteering for charity, leading my group to success in achieving their goal of going to their first competition and even opened a new activity in my community about rifles.

But, of course, you barged in and started talking badly about me, how I had only won this prize because of favoritism. It hurts a lot, you know? I heard a demolishing sentence through your giggles ;

‘’Oh, I don’t know why she won that, she did nothing special.’’

 I heard you that day, your whispers were loud and clear for me. 

Why were you even talking behind my back? What did I ever do to you? You obviously did not see the energy I had put into this goal. 

You trivialized the sweat I had poured and the work I had accomplished for this medal. Your jealousy destroyed all of the merit I tried to earn. All of the cold afternoons I spent picking up food for charity, handing out pamphlets about my community and even organising books in libraries felt worthless. All of those hours for nothing.

In fact, saying that kind of stuff crushed my confidence into tiny pieces. I felt fake and my prize felt useless now and I started asking myself ‘’Do I even deserve that prize?’’. Will this feeling ever leave my head? It sucks. Your words felt like sharp metal knives piercing my skin and my ego. 

In case you are clueless about your saying, I felt like an impostor and a burden. Did you ever ask yourself how it would’ve made you feel knowing somebody was spreading false rumors about you? Probably not. Although, that’s how you made me feel about myself.

Before talking, notice the efforts instead of assuming anything. Instead of trying to seem better than everybody else by putting everyone down, you could try and celebrate with me. By pushing me forward, you could follow my path and grow your own success. You could be even more successful than I ever will be. And you know what? I would be so proud of you. I would feel like a mama bird who sees her baby grow wings and fly on her own.

 Stop assuming and open your eyes before talking.

Regards,

Anonymous college student