Life's appetite

Read and... "criticize"

Posted by Unknown , November 11, 2011 10:03 AM

It was during this week that i noticed how often people (including myself) criticize every little detail of a person, be it from their physical attributes, social status, or to how he/she should live their lives. i have to say it would always be difficult not to, but as i fight this habit, it seems as if everything conspires it to make it twice as hard, or maybe i was now more aware of how often i am prone to criticism?

As i struggle to figure out why it was inevitable for me and for everyone to avoid criticizing, i decided to simplify it, from its reasons why, to the person himself.

Is it the person we are criticizing or his actions?
One thing you have to bear in mind is that there's no "ONE" action that could ever define a person. If we try not to criticize others, we should force ourselves to understand and separate the action from the person. Just because somebody is confident and proud with what they have doesn't mean that they're bragging about it. It is worth developing the ability to think badly about an action of a person without making it personal.

Have you ever noticed why you're always conscious about yourself?
Proven that most of them are the ones that criticizes others. Most of the people i know spends 2 hours in the morning just to fix themselves, from the tip of their hair to the sole of their feet. Not entirely because they want to look good or to impress someone, it is because they themselves are afraid to be criticized. Subconsciously assuming that others would do what they usually do.

Are all criticism bad?
Before you utter criticism to another, would it make him a better person or would it bring him down? To criticize does not necessarily imply to find fault, but rather an expression of disapproval. Others call it constructive criticism, which is a positive attitude and act that should be used for a persons growth and not to degrade them.

What's the point of doing it?
According to Eleanor Roosevelt, "Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events and small minds discuss people". Now where do you stand among the three? If you're doing it in such a way of making yourself feel better, how long would keep on doing it? It doesn't take long before you realize that there's nothing happening to you, that you spent all those time and energy for nothing that would benefit you in the future.

I tell myself this.. i encourage you do too.
Put yourself in the shoes of the person you're criticizing and walk a mile in it. What would you feel? :)

Written by:
Rochelle "Sam" Real