Rising Above the Noise – Handling Negative Comments with Grace

 Putting Shades of Purple: A Boy’s Journey Between the Lines out into the world has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It has connected me with incredible people, sparked meaningful conversations, and even helped others feel seen in ways they hadn’t before. But with every bright moment comes a shadow, and that shadow often takes the form of negativity.

The internet is full of opinions—some supportive, some constructive, and others just… well, downright rude. “Who cares?” “Everyone has a story.” “This isn’t special.” I’ve seen comments like these, and while they don’t come close to outweighing the love and encouragement I’ve received, they do make me pause.

I’m not one to stay silent, and I’ve never been someone to just let things slide without saying something. But over time, I’ve learned that how I respond matters just as much as if I respond. There’s a fine line between standing up for yourself and engaging in an argument that leads nowhere. I choose to keep things positive—not because I don’t have comebacks ready, but because I refuse to stoop to a level that diminishes what this book means to me and so many others.

At the end of the day, Shades of Purple wasn’t written for everyone. It was written for those who have felt different, out of place, or unseen. It was written for those who needed a reminder that their story matters. And if someone doesn’t care about my journey, that’s completely okay—they don’t have to.

For every negative comment, there’s been an outpouring of support from people who do care, from those who do see themselves in my story. Those are the voices that matter. Those are the stories that make sharing my own worth it.

So to anyone who’s ever faced negativity for simply being themselves, my advice is this: let your light be louder than their noise. Keep being you. Keep shining. And above all, never let someone else’s bitterness take away from your joy.

Because at the end of the day, your story matters. And no one can take that away from you. 💜