Everyone faces criticism at some point and time in life. So, when you are criticized, what will you do and how will you respond? You see, people’s opinions of you are often fickle, so here’s a response you need to adopt: “Shake it off!” Don’t allow anyone’s ignorance, hate, drama, or negativity to stop you from being the best person you can be and achieving your goals in life.
Build your life around those who believe the best about you and want to bring it out. The late, great LA Lakers basketball superstar Kobe Bryant said, “Whatever your craft is, be the best doing it.” Behind your success in your craft – whatever it is – you will discover people who never stopped believing in you.
Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing. Any time you stop the work that you have pursued as a career and the work that God has given to you to do and step down to the level of your critics, you have sent the message that their strategy is working.
There are three kinds of people you will meet in life:
- The critics. They are the first to point an accusing finger and the last to extend a helping hand.
- The cautious. When you are in trouble, they will distance themselves from you, lest they become tainted by your perceived liabilities. These people are not bad, they are just self-serving. Be cautious about putting your trust in them.
- The committed. A friend loves you at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Recognize such people and build your life around them because they are a gift from God.
When you have haters that criticize you for no reason, do like singer-songwriter Taylor Swift said, “Shake, shake, shake it off.” So, Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!
By Chaplain Ghosten
chaplain@lhp.net
