“Why can’t we all just be happy for each other?” I once asked my mentor, my voice full of genuine confusion and hope. I believed in a world where everyone could prosper together, where the sky was truly wide enough for all birds to fly.

I used to cringe at those people who seemed to make life all about themselves – the ones who couldn’t see others succeed without feeling threatened, the ones who turned every celebration into a competition. “The sky is wide enough for all birds to fly,” I’d say, quoting the old proverb. “Your success doesn’t diminish mine.”

But life had other lessons to teach me.

One day, it hit me: having enemies isn’t a failure of character – it’s part of life’s curriculum. It’s a masterclass in self-discovery that you never signed up for but desperately needed.

Think about the people who trigger you. They’re not just difficult people – they’re mirrors reflecting your insecurities. Those who reject you? They’re not just being mean – they’re showing you where your boundaries need reinforcement. Your critics aren’t just finding fault – they’re highlighting gaps you might need to address or boundaries you need to defend.

I’ve come to understand that authenticity naturally creates opposition. When you stand for something meaningful, you’ll inevitably stand against something else. When you speak truth into silence, you’ll disturb those invested in keeping things quiet. When you set healthy boundaries, you’ll upset those who benefited from their absence.

So, let’s do some reframing:
Let rejection become a redirection and opposition become an opportunity.
If the diamond saw pressure as the enemy, it would never become a diamond.

The truth is, trying to make everyone like you is a waste of time. It’s the fastest way to lose yourself in endless drama. Instead of seeing enemies as obstacles, see them as educators. They’re teaching you exactly where you need to grow, heal, or stand firmer.

Each adversity shapes you.
Each rejection refines you.
Each “enemy” helps you better understand who you truly are and what you genuinely stand for. So perhaps it’s time to thank your enemies. Not because they’re right, but because they’re helping you become stronger, clearer, and more authentically you. After all, diamonds don’t form without pressure, muscles don’t grow without resistance, and character doesn’t develop without challenges.