Why Criticism Is Critical To Life

 Let’s start with how we perceive criticism.  It is our deep-rooted belief that critical opinions are directed towards us out of spite and jealously. A psychological effort to propel us downwards.  It is our strong and utmost conviction that criticism is just people finding faults unnecessarily, a try to push success away from our clutches and possession. This indeed is a most likely situation but does not apply to every single person who criticizes us!

Lets all face and admit it- no person reading this has ever been genuinely elated about receiving a piece of criticism; be it a curt ‘Bad Handwriting’ note from our teacher, a reproval from our carping boss or a verbal attack on our art and passion. Outwardly, some of us might try to appear pleased, trying to convince ourselves that this critique will enhance our personality; but something minuscule gnaws away at our soul, a deep pierce of dejection.  It is human nature to crave praise and appreciation after performing the smallest and most insignificant of tasks, but instead if we receive a bitter helping of criticism for appetizers, much in contrast to the sweet admiration we were expecting to be served for a refreshing desert, all willpower crumbles.

 Knowingly or not, we begin harbouring a particular distance and distaste for the person who can often be found picking out our various shortcomings with precision.  Our moods turn sour after catching a glimpse of said devil, but we fail to realize that in fact, without criticism, the world and its denizens will be doomed!  Food for thought: If everybody in the world flatters each other, holds each person in high self-esteem, values and follows each word of their role model, the world’s happiness index will certainly shoot towards the stars, but not for long.  If nobody points out our faults and explains where we are going about things the wrong way and with an incorrect attitude, each person will start building castles in the air, considering himself/ herself to be perfect and without faults.  How will we ever improve and grow as individuals?

I am, by no means saying that all those who keep criticizing us are our well- wishers.  Sometimes, envy and selfishness get the better of us, flawed humans.  It is possible that such criticism is deliberately and connivingly designed to pull us down, to prevent us from writing our unique, original success story.  But we too must grow clever enough to differentiate between criticism and pure insecurity because it is a well-known fact that people who are judgmental and critical of the little things in life are not secure enough to see the good happening to their fellow beings.

Don't let their piercing comments lower your poise, try to gain something from it if it truly is appropriately directed and if it is just a jab at your whatever you're excelling and are good at, don't let it shatter your soul. Concentrate on how you can get the best out of it.

Much MUCH easier said than done. I myself am working on accepting criticism in a positive manner, not to give the critic satisfaction, but as an effort to overcome my own inadequacies and thus, urge and encourage you too to walk with me on this path of introspection at the end of which the light of self-realization awaits as a beacon of luminosity beckoning to us.

Kabir, a great Indian saint, and poet has given sound advice in one of his teachings:  “Keep those who censure and criticize you, safe, because it is they who beautify your personalities and make you pure and cleansed.”

So let us all embrace our imperfections; beautiful flawed creatures that we are, and undertake this expedition of growth and self-beautification.  Let us transform confidence-lowering and soul-shattering criticism into morale-boosting positivity to develop our souls.  Ten years down the line, we can all pat ourselves on the back, proud for nurturing that criticism.