A letter to my nemesis

A letter to my Nemesis

You are not better. You are not stronger. You are not more courageous. I will not be beaten down by your declarations of my inadequacies, as you spew your thoughts like prophecies from the mountain tops. I am onto your game. By pointing out my perceived weaknesses, you hope to draw attention away from your own. You do not look more intelligent by your condescending tone. Your insurgent attitude does not inspire my cooperation. I do not feel guilty for thinking differently, possessing my own opinions, or disagreeing with you and I don't need you to tell me what's wrong with my thinking.

Your criticisms are not constructive, your opinions are not objective, and your motives are not altruistic. You do not share your opinions with me to make me a better person. You do it, simply, to make you feel better about yourself. You do not point out my flaws to help me see; you do it to tear me down. You do it to prevent me from telling your secrets. By declaring me weak and unworthy, you hope to extinguish my integrity. You attempt to destroy me to protect your secrets. You want me to recognize your superiority, your brilliance, your mercy. You do it because you stand taller by standing on the backs of others. You mistake my kindness for weakness. You mistake my silence for compliance.

Your need to control and manipulate overpowers any love, respect or admiration you may feel. Your need to be recognized, honored, and heard, goes beyond reason. You want to be lord and master over everyone and everything, and you are willing to crush any obstacle preventing your ascent. You covet what you do not possess. You create chaos because you are incapable of inner peace. Strength in others threatens you. You demand that which you do not deserve and much more than are willing to give. You are manipulative, unkind, and dark hearted and I owe you nothing. You have not earned my respect or my loyalty.

So, in spite of your efforts, hear this:

I will not be silenced.

I will not be trampled.

I will not watch you destroy others to build yourself up.

I will not be moved by your disingenuous ranting of the injustices against you.

I will not step aside and allow you to barrel through what I have built.

I will not feed your sense of entitlement.

I will not give you the respect you demand, I will give you the respect you have earned.

I will not allow you to manipulate me.I will not allow you to make me feel guilty.

And I will not be goaded into behaving as darkly as you do.

Condescension will not pin me to the ground, or cause me to cower to your criticisms.

I see through you now.