“…If you think you can do better, then you ought to run….”

“Laddie, you’re absolutely the worst I’ve ever heard…my advice is stay on the farm.”

Criticism:  How do you handle criticism?  For me, I don’t handle it very well.  It seems un-natural, especially when I’m on the receiving end.  I remember as a 6^th grade student at Sylvania Heights Elementary in Miami, Fla., when running for Class President, where someone criticized me for something, and I remember distinctly, telling him, “If you think you can do better, then you ought to run.”  He did…and he won.  As I have grown older, I’m a bit more mellower.  The problem is, we all have a tendency to criticize others rather quickly; yet, we hate to be criticized.  I don’t see myself as being much of a criticizer, but I’m sure that I do it on occasion.  The art of constructive criticism is all in “how we construct our criticism.  We need to do it such that the person on the receiving end, sees clearly that they could improve, and are not offended when it’s brought to their attention.  Once, several years ago, a local attorney stood up at a City Council meeting and criticized me “personally” and the Mayor openly chastised him for it; such that he apologized for it, and council voted in favor of my position.   We are reminded in  Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.    …..Blessings…cjlb…2/16/14 

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