Criticism

I consider myself a good cook. My taste buds are sharp. I detect when a strong or wrong spice is used in food. I complain when the meat is tough, the potatoes are not done, the gravy lumpy, the salad limp. You get the picture . Often, I complain about other things as well.



Examining the reason for complaining usually points a finger back at me. Am I finding fault with the issue to make my self feel superior, or am I genuinely wanting to make an improvement?



Are you a fence straddler or do you speak out when an important issue comes before you. Do you make a positive comment, an opposing comment or do you just stay mum. I'm usually vocal with my opinions and sometimes it gets me into trouble.



Recently I read an enlightening article (author unknown) that pointed out how you can actually learn to like criticism. This was a unique idea that people only appreciate 'constructive criticism.'

The key issue is how to take criticism...whether you can take it in stride, or if it shakes you up, or if, hopefully you can use it to your advantage. Sometimes criticism is really a test of how strong you are... and how you can profit from it by trying to improve yourself, and recognize what you know and what you don't know. Few people can take harsh criticism without appearing to be upset by it, but if we take criticism gracefully we can use it to our advantage.



A poet once wrote: "The stones that critics hurl with harsh intent, man may use to build a monument."