Criticism

Criticism: A general term for finding fault with or disapproving of a person or thing.

None of us needs to be told what a mess we have made of our lives. Actually, we do need to be reminded of this from time to time; especially when our own inflated sense of self-importance blinds us to our defects and liabilities, which is often and with great intensity. But we do believe that someone who has been thrashed for years by alcohol is going to grow more enthusiastically when they are being praised and encouraged.

Many of us grew up in environments that were difficult. We may have had to endure a lot of criticism as children. When some adult authority figure tells you that you aren’t worth much, and they repeat this day after day, it is inevitable that we are going to accept what they say as fact.

We need to spend our time filling each other with hope. We need to look for what is good and what is improving. All of us have many great qualities – they may be buried deep inside and they are almost certainly not very well developed – but they are present.

Take care of each other. You are responsible for your own actions and for the well being of your fellows. Quit viewing life as a free-for-all where you try to win at the expense of everyone else. This self-absorption guarantees a life of deep futility and profound misery.