Taking and Giving Criticism

I think a lot about the importance of acknowledging what is wrong with us, look at ourselves, understand why we act in a certain way, why we think what we think, it’s through the introspection that we can dissolve our negative emotions and see the world from other perspectives therefore having control upon our happiness and our wealth in a general way. We need to change, evolve, become better persons. No one is perfect, but we should always try to become by looking at ourselves, noticing what we need to improve and improving it. If someone is asked to point out if something is wrong with them they might even say that they don’t do anything wrong, they’re good people, they don’t still, they’re against violence, they don’t use drugs, etc. But do they recycle? Do they help the poor? Do they work really hard towards their dreams? Do they waste time whining about how everything is going wrong for them instead of taking action to make things go right? There will be always something new and valuable to learn in life.

However, there are situations in which it is impossible for us to see our own flaws and then the opinions of others become essential. Sometimes we are too proud to be able to see our flaws, what we need to change, we may criticize others, but never ourselves, even if we are just like these persons. What is it worth for to see everything the others need to change if we are not capable of seeing ourselves?

In such occasions it’s important to take in consideration someone else’s opinions about ourselves, however, due to our pride instead of thinking if this person is correct and change the defects pointed out we feel insulted and ignore what she has to say, understand this as judgment and act as noble saying that no one has the right to judge, claim that only God can judge, it’s ironic, if they thought for a second about this they would see that if they are calling someone judgmental they are judging too. No one can spend their entire lives without ever having a bad opinion about someone, some may not say it out loud, but they think and omit opinions that despite of being negative might do some good to someone if they know how to take it. To those is important to know the point of view of those who criticize them, acknowledge that we all have defects and apply what we learned in our lives. People have so much afraid of hurting one’s ego that even leave aside one’s happiness and purpose of life.

If each of us simply looked at the mistakes of others and never our own the world is never gonna change. Who would take action if everyone is just pointing out each others’ mistakes?

But despite of that it’s important to point out others’ flaws, help them in what they need, but that without insulting, there are those who don’t know how to do it, get angry when they hear a wrong statement or when they see a flaw in someone without even considering the possibility that this person may not even be conscious of this flaw and end up insulting her angrily. Other times they stick to their opinion that the others are the ones who are wrong and only they are correct, when in fact the mistake is theirs for being incapable of respecting others’ way of thinking. I see a lot of this in the world and it really frustrates me. Could it really be that hard to understand that people go through different experiences and influences and that makes them think in different ways? Or that sometimes people don’t have control over their emotions and might make mistakes unconsciously? It’s also important to not see every little thing as a flaw. Be aware of what you’re saying and thinking. And if what for you is a mistake, but it's actually just the next person's point of view, learn to respect it.

It’s important to know how to criticize without offending and receive critics without feeling offended. This could make a great difference in people and consequently in the world.

No one can grow in life without critics, without seeing what you need to change about yourself.

The world is not perfect it needs to be criticized in order to change. The mistakes must be pointed out and actions must be taken.

No one is perfect, so what do you need to do to improve?