Who Let You In Here?

I got email #6 from a safari guide today.  I will always remember #6 as the discouraging one.  You know when you have a hefty goal and you’re pursuing it and things are bound to hit you that hurt?  

Yeah, I’m hurting today. 

I think this is called a setback.

After receiving emails with encouragement and sound advice, this email was full of can’t.  You don’t have experience.  There are two of you.  No one will hire you long distance.  There’s nobody you can go and talk to either. 

Boom. 

Like a large brick.  Scribbled with the words You can’t do this.

Really?  From a stranger?  A stranger in my field?  Full of hippies and dream-makers and white bush men?  Telling me I'm too normal or something?

I’m adventurous, but I’m still a fragile person.  It astounds me how fragile I can be.  Sensitive.  Easily discouraged.  I have a sense that I don’t actually know the world and it gives other people the edge.  Like they do know the world.  I’m naïve, and they’re telling me the ways. 

But this guy does not know the ways of the world.  I can’t allow him to know my ways of the world. 

Today, I am hurting.  But tomorrow will be better.