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Summary of Question:	Tested Faith - Dealing W/People Laughing At Me
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Thursday, 7/24/2003 2:00 AM MDT

hi i have a problem regarding lack of faith and such in God and Guru ji, at school and other public places im usually quiet and i find it very hard to socialize with others, mainly i think its because i cant really strike up a good conversation with others as that my voice starts to get low and nervous usually. I pray to waheguru and guru ji all the time i do simran and try to chant wahegurus name in my heart as many times as i can during the day. Another thing is im very vulnerable to criticism and i dont know wut to do when others turn and laugh at me from across and point at me its hard to ignore because when i cant really focus on the activity im doing and this hurts me very hard when it comes to playing sports as is that people know im bad at sports and laugh at me because im trying outside of school to play sports. This shakes my faith a lot, as much as i try to be strong when people laugh at and whisper me about even when they're right near me i just get hurt and i cant ignore my mind keeps wandering back to what they might be saying about me when im trying to ask guru ji to give me strength.

can u please help me? everytime i feel that by believing in waheguru i'm becoming stronger mentally and spiritually but when things like teasing and stuff happen it affects my faith in Him, and i dont want that to happen i want my faith to be unshakeable. Can you please give me some tips on how to be strong against criticism and teasings and how to keep my faith strong in guru ji so i wont have to worry about anyones laughing or anything affecting my determination to try as hard as i can at being a good athlete, as bad as i am i want to try.

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa
Waheguru ji ke Fateh

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REPLY
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Sat Siri Akaal. You have plenty of faith. Keep Chanting! Ask Guru to show you what HE wants you to do, not what they want you to do.

What you also have is some social anxiety, which is not uncommon for youth; it is part of growing up. It seems that you are not a born athlete. Many of us are not meant for sports. At the same time you want to fit in. Ask yourself if you are just trying to fit yourself into a group or situation that is simply not you. Perhaps you would be better off joining a computer club or some other school-related activity that doesn't depend on physical athleticism. Another thing to do is not take it so seriously. If you are not a born athlete but can't get out of the physical activities required by the school, then laugh at yourself and others will decide you are a really good sport.
You might also consider talking to a coach or physical education teacher at school and asking for pointers on how to develop a better athletic ability. I might add that if you take a yoga class and practice it regularly, this will enhance your comfort level with physical activity and also develop the brain-body coordination function. Yoga is NOT a competitive sport. It works for anyone no matter what their level of ability. Another option is finding a martial arts class of your choice and telling the teacher you are not so athletic and would like to improve your overall ability. Martial arts will not only develop your body, it will develop your sense of self and courage. While it is competitive, if you find a teacher/class where your motives and abilities are understood, then you should see some progress in yourself.
I'll bet you are much smarter than a lot of the folks who laugh at you. Understand that whatever your talent, you do HAVE one or several, though they may not involve physical prowess. What do you love to do??? This is a pointer to your natural talent. You might be a fantastic chess player ( a mind game if there ever was one). So, find a group of people /youth who enjoy what you enjoy! This includes chanting the Naam.
God bless you. Don't be so hard on yourself!
-DKK