Before someone can put you down, your permission is needed. people may say all kind of ill words about you, they may malign your character and persecute you with lying words of evil; but you have the right to either respond to what they say or not.
Nobody can stop you with vain and ill words except you let them do it. What you spend time to meditate upon is what affects you, not what was said against you.
You do not expect everyone to say something good about you, do you? it is natural for people to express their feelings, perceptions and judgement about what they see. Never let words of people trigger unnecessary action from you, neither should you allow their judgement determine your attitude. Do not do things because someone said you can't do them, only do things for the right reasons. Do things you know you can and for the right purpose.
Draw strength from the things you love, and let you satisfaction come from the good result you get.
@geeboy