I first came online, I think, in 2007, and I certainly was not always the same person or the same religion. Throughout the years, I have changed and grown, and also encountered many obstacles, mistakes and triumphs. But in my early years, I had a notable amount of haters and critics, even as I became a Hellenist, and I'm not talking about people who simply disagreed with me. I'm talking about people who lied about me, actively tried to bring me down, and even tried to bring harm to me and my family. And it wasn't always online either. Even in the workforce and a community we lived in, a company and some of its people tried to lie and destroy my wife's reputation.
Today, we are fine, still standing strong, things have only gotten better for us, and our old enemies are obscure. No one pays attention to their content anymore or cares, and nothing they said or did has any relevance to our lives now. They all failed to destroy us, and I think one of the reasons the Gods protected us was because while we made mistakes and learned from trial and error, they knew our hearts were good, and that we would eventually evolve into something better.
I also think we should consider that drama has a shelf life. Eventually people move on, and the promoter no longer has anything to offer. But there is no expiration date on a good man or woman. They can keep moving forward and contributing to growth, knowledge, and community.
Again, I do not write this post to make myself seem high and mighty or more than what I am. I am a humble Hellenist and I do not think of myself as better than anyone. I just kept moving on and refused to bend to the will of haters. As I have said in one of my prayers before, Athena makes me an Akropolis against the onslaughts of my enemies. I would also add that my perseverance hasn't just been against some old foes, but against my own mental and physical health battles over the last year. And I think the Gods, the Good Spirit and the Heroes put the determination in me, that no matter what happens, I will not give up, I will not give in, I will not quit. Ever.
If you're out there today facing the same things that I used to, and may even face again in the future, do not let it destroy you. Keep your focus and keep moving forward. What seems like devastation now, may be absolutely nothing later.
In the Goodness of the Gods,
I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,
Chris Aldridge.