"When you're so out there
in the public eye,
people are constantly criticizing
every aspect about you."
-- Gwyneth Paltrow
[Classic post from 10-3-14]
I can't even imagine going wading through the volume of criticism that famous people do. They have to get really good at allowing others to have their opinion while they hold a different point of view about themselves or their work. Their joy and their sanity depend on it.
On a far less public level, each of us deals with a certain level of critical opinions of ourselves or our behavior or things that we do. Often these criticisms are not openly expressed, but they are there. It might be a spouse or close friend, relative, co-worker or others. Truth is, everyone has an opinion, and to that everyone is entitled.
There are two things that are important in my mind to deal with this once and for all time. The first is to love ourselves, praise ourselves, accept any so-called flaws and also accept our perfection. We are all a constant and never-ending work in progress. We grow, become more, change. A wonderful mantra is one I shared a few days ago from Dr. John F. Demartini: "No matter what I have done or not done, I am worthy of love."
The second thing is that we can choose to not reciprocate criticism on others. Every one of us has likes and dislikes. That is how we create. We know what we don't want, so that leads us to choose what we do want. But, we have no need in going around publicizing all the things we don't like. It is far better to spread a different and more positive message.
If we love others, we can uplift them in many ways. Who knows who was criticizing them in the last few weeks, or what they have been going through in their lives. That goes for all people including famous ones, and especially those we may have fundamental disagreements with. We don't need to agree or even like them, but loving them is allowing them to be who they are while we are who we are.
Next time someone criticizes you for anything, accept it as their opinion and it may even be true about you, but no matter what you have done or not done, you are worthy of love.
Next time you are thinking about being critical about someone else, accept it as your opinion and that it may even be true from your perspective, but no matter what they have done or not done, they are worthy of love.
As we learn to turn our critical thoughts into loving thoughts, our entire world changes right before our eyes.
It's A Brave New World.
Spread Some Joy Today--When was the last time you complimented someone openly? Spread some joy today by doing it often.
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