An Internet stranger recently accused me of being negative, a preacher, a fake, and a hypocrite ~ all over my opinion of a video that had nothing to do with her.

In the past, this would have crushed me.

I’ve carried a lot of fear about expressing my opinions. I’ve felt like my needs and boundaries weren’t valid, and that if I spoke up, I would face consequences. Those old patterns made me shrink back, avoid conflict, and doubt my own voice.

But this time, something different happened.

I didn’t back down.

Yes, I was a little snarky (I’m human!) ~ but I held my ground.

And something unexpected happened: gratitude.

I’m grateful she called me out.

Grateful she pushed me, irritated me, and forced me to notice the energy I was holding onto from my first comment to my last.

I’m grateful because she became a mirror.

Her words showed me two things:

1. How far I’ve come. I no longer collapse into shame when someone disapproves of me.

2. Where I still need to heal. I still have tender spots that flare when I feel misunderstood or judged.

Criticism, whether fair or not, can be a gift. It forces us to look inward and ask: What’s mine to own, and what’s not?

That question is at the heart of growth.

It’s also why I love sound therapy so much.

When we’re triggered, our nervous system kicks into fight, flight, or freeze. The body holds the tension even after the moment has passed. Sound work ~ especially with instruments like the buffalo drum ~ helps shake loose that tension and create space for clarity.

For me, the drum doesn’t just ground me ~ it empowers me. Its rhythm reminds me that I can face discomfort without running from it, and that I can meet conflict with strength instead of collapse.

So yes, I am thankful for the stranger who called me names on the Internet.

She reminded me that I am still here, still growing, still learning to use my voice.