I don't take criticism well...never have. Because I'm a "people pleaser" who loves to hear good things about my performance, especially when I'm trying really hard, suggestions and criticisms do not sit well with me. I read somewhere once that too much pride in your life makes you react this way, and I don't doubt that I have that problem! So this afternoon when my wonderful sister, Anna (there's your "shout out" you were looking for!! :) suggested that I was veering away from the originial intent of my blog (doing an act of kindness each day and blogging about it), my first response in my head was, "Who does she think she is? This is MY blog and how dare she criticize it!" Honestly, I just wanted to tell her off (plus, it was the end of the day, I was tired and the LAST thing I wanted to hear was that I was doing something wrong). But here's the deal...she was right! Leave it to your little sis to call you out on your "stuff," huh? I did start this blog with a different focus than I have been writing in the past few weeks and partly it was because I was running out of kind things to do. But isn't that the challenge of this whole assignment? Being kind is not always easy and it's not always going to be something you can do during the course of your day. We may have to SEEK out opportunities to be kind.
I have to give my sister credit for my act of kindness today because she was the recipient! I accept her criticism from this afternoon, humbling myself enough to realize that she was right and I was taking the easy way out of doing a good deed each day. And though I REALLY wanted to, I didn't get angry or push aside the criticism...I'm embracing it. Sometimes it's easier for us to excuse constructive criticism because we don't agree with it, but isn't it true that the people in your life--the people God surrounds you with--are there for the purpose of helping you grow? "Iron sharpens iron," as they say, but only if the iron is willing to rub up against more iron! And sometimes, that rubbing hurts, but it's the best way to become sharper!
Who is criticizing you today? They may actually have a point if you listen! :) Thanks Anna!
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Although I'm sure your sister's point has some validity, I must say that sharing your heart, sharing your life's lessons, sharing your perspective which has been carved from problem situations -- these also are acts of kindness.
ReplyDeleteTo keep all you've learned sealed within yourself when there are those who need your insight is to neglect to extend to them the kindness of the wisdom He's granted to you.
Your balance has been PERFECT!
I hear you, Asking Him, and while I agree that sharing perspective is a form kindness, it is not, by definition, a "random" act of kindness nor is it the original, true intention of the blog. However, the blog is great no matter how you slice it. And Rachel, I'm annoying, but you know you love it. Write on!!
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