What makes a person a hater and why do they hate on me?

It is not as though I have money or drop dead gorgeous and skeeze up on taken men. I am a single mom rich with laughter, music and good times. I am open minded, easy to get along with, do not judge others and ready to give the shirt off my back to anyone in need. I seldom give a @*#t what others think of me and always hope for the best. Yet I am continually challenged by some whom love to bad mouth me as though I have done something to hurt them. They accuse me of things I would never think of doing (lieing, cheating, using, vindictive behavior, spiteful, sneaky) Those close to me know what is true, what about the ones that are not as close? In the past and less now, it upsets me. I know the haters ultimate goal is to get a reaction from me, to knock me down. I do not like to be mean and often let these haters ( whom appear to be my friend on the surface) right on in, to attack and add negative drama in my life. Any advice? sorry about the novel