i took this (with all due credit, though not properly acknowledged i know) from jon lim's blog. i don't know him myself, but ah well here you go:

This world is famous for haters, and there’ll be at least a thousand times in our lives where we’ll be at the brunt of their prejudices, exclusions and contempt. I don’t deny that RJ is a brilliant melting pot for haters (although I really must qualify that most of us aren’t like that). But the logic is simple: we are entitled to our own beliefs, and we are entitled not to listen to anyone who tries to erode them, much less those who misunderstand your intentions or your values. So stay on your own road if you think you’re right. Even if you’re wrong, you’ll change positively along the way with the help of people who are truly in support of you. Keep soaring, keep charging, keep tripping over stumbling blocks even – but above all, don’t stop just because people turn on you with a tainted eye. Shine from within, and don’t fall into the trap of forming self-approving comfort circles that reject anything beyond their point of acceptance.

i really like this paragraph, simply because it is brimming with truth and sincerity from every angle. bloggers like this are a dying breed nowadays (i think). it nicely coincides with my earlier post from today; the two really tie in together.

you know what? i was just thinking "what a coincidence", and then i realised i probably have God to thank. it's not the first time i've read something similar to the above paragraph, but reading it again (written personally by another human being) has helped to reinforce my beliefs that much more. this is no simple coincidence, i would like to believe. thank God, really.

well dear reader, if i would like you to take just one thing away from reading (even stalking?) my blog thus far, it would have to be that italicised paragraph above.

yes, it's that simple.