A
thought by John C. Maxwell (2013-02-15) from his book, Be A People Person: Effective Leadership Through Effective Relationships
(p. 152). David C. Cook. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to
go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)
I
really don’t like criticism but I know that it is a part of life especially if
you are striving to make a difference.
John
says, “When you have optional time, spend it with people who will build you up.
Enough
quality time with positive people will minimize the effect of negative
criticism.”
But
then he says, “It will also discourage you from being critical. When a hawk is
attacked by crows, he does not counterattack. Instead, he soars higher and
higher in ever widening circles until the pests leave him alone. Circle above
your adversaries rather than battle with them. If your positive attitude has
any effect on negative people, it will be because of your example, not your
defensiveness. So rise above them. It really is hard to soar like an eagle if
you identify with turkeys!”
John
earlier said, “Learning how to handle criticism was one of the most difficult
lessons I ever had. I grew up in a church where the surest sign of success was a
unanimous pastoral vote…I went to my first pastorate in Hillham, Indiana. At
the end of the first year we had thirty-three members; the vote was thirty-one ‘yes,’
one ‘no,’ and one ‘abstain.’ That put me in a panic. I immediately called my
father and asked if he thought I should resign from the church. He couldn’t
imagine why I was so upset and laughed hysterically. Little did I realize that
would be the best vote I’d ever receive in my career as a pastor! Knowing there
was just one person, possibly two, who did not like what I was doing was very
difficult for me to handle. Since then I’ve learned that if you want to do
great things for God, there will always be someone who doesn’t want to
participate.”
We
need someone in our life that will help to give us the right perspective toward
criticism. And sometimes it is just to
laugh at it. I love that story.
So
who is in your life who will help you counteract criticism?
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