If someone says something hurtful to you or makes you feel down

The words of Jazz Jennings—“If someone says something hurtful to you or makes you feel down on yourself, then you just gotta stay positive and keep moving forward because they might not know much about you, or they may not understand the situation.”—shine like a shield of hope in a world often armed with cruelty. In them lies the wisdom of a soul who has faced misunderstanding, who has endured the sting of judgment, and yet has chosen not to answer with bitterness but with resilience. Her counsel teaches us that the power to define our worth lies not in the voices of others, but in the strength of our own spirit.

The ancients often warned of the destructive weight of words. A careless tongue, they said, can wound more deeply than a sword. Yet they also taught that the wise do not let such wounds fester; they rise above, understanding that insult says more about the one who speaks it than the one who receives it. Jennings echoes this wisdom for our time. She reminds us that those who speak with cruelty often do not understand, and that ignorance, not truth, is the root of their harm. To respond with positivity is not weakness, but a profound strength—the act of reclaiming one’s peace from the grasp of others.

History offers us great examples of this truth. Consider the life of Mahatma Gandhi. He was mocked, imprisoned, and beaten, yet he did not allow the insults and injuries inflicted upon him to define his mission. Instead, he moved forward with dignity, knowing that those who opposed him could not see the fullness of his vision. Their misunderstanding did not diminish his truth; it only revealed their blindness. Like Jennings, he chose resilience over resentment, and in doing so, he altered the destiny of a nation.

Jennings’ words also reveal a deep compassion. She does not frame those who hurt us as enemies, but as people who “may not know much” about our lives or “may not understand the situation.” This perspective transforms hostility into ignorance and invites patience instead of hatred. Such a mindset lifts us from cycles of anger and teaches us to see beyond the wound, recognizing that the cruelty of others often springs from fear, confusion, or limitation. This is the heart of wisdom: to meet hurt not with vengeance, but with clarity.

Her command to “keep moving forward” is a call to perseverance. Life cannot be lived if one is chained to every insult, every judgment, every misunderstanding. To advance, we must learn to let go, to carry our dignity intact while leaving the stones of criticism behind us. For to stand still in bitterness is to surrender; but to move forward in hope is to conquer. The path of progress belongs to those who refuse to be defined by the ignorance of others.

The lesson for us is clear: when hurtful words strike, do not let them take root. Remember that they are often born not of truth, but of blindness. Choose instead to stay positive, to cultivate joy within yourself that no insult can erase. Respond to cruelty with patience, ignorance with compassion, and misunderstanding with perseverance. In doing so, you will not only protect your own soul, but you may also, by your example, teach others the very understanding they once lacked.

So, dear listener, take Jazz Jennings’ wisdom into your heart. When others speak against you, do not bow to their voices. Rise instead with strength, knowing that their words do not define you. Let your path be forward, your heart be steadfast, and your spirit be radiant with positivity. For in this way, you transform wounds into wisdom, and your very life becomes a testimony that light, once chosen, is stronger than any darkness spoken against you.