Let this blog find you living with enriching mutually contributing relationships around
you!
Handling
criticism (especially from our dear ones) is a challenge for many of us. Our
responses may include avoiding the situation, defending our actions, snapping
at the messenger...!
Few days
back, I was helping with some household cleaning. My wife, Ruchi has a lot more
awareness on cleanliness than I believe about myself. She pointed out a mistake
& corrected it. I nearly snapped at her. There was silence and sudden
presence of cold vibes.
My
immediate thought was, “at least I am helping around the house & instead of
appreciating, she is finding mistakes. You want it your way, you do it
yourself!! I am a package deal.” I remembered a popular TV commercial where a
maid says: “Itne paise mein to itna hi milenga!!” (for this much money,
that’s all you can get!! - a colloquialism now humorously used to apply to
every kind of situation)
I then
thought about it more as to what was the trigger for snapping. I realized that
I was not really upset by her pointing out. It was the realization that what
she is pointing is correct: How come I was so unaware (STUPID!!) that I did not
realize such an elementary mistake, while I also believe myself to be an
epitome of awareness on cleanliness & hygiene.
I then told
her this that the snapping / cold vibes was actually an outer manifestation of
being upset with myself & my unawareness. I encouraged her to continue her
corrections and promised to be aware not to snap at such occurrences!
Probably we treat criticism like this most
of the time. Our mind prefers to believe that we are perfect & best in
everything; we have arrived in life & there is no need to go anywhere from
here! Hence we avoid people who raise our awareness; because they show us that
we too have room for improvement.
May you find ways to tune all feedback, both
given & received, towards progress and growth in awareness.
Wishing you
an amazing new year ahead, full of insights & awareness, wellness &
fitness, peace & meaning, prosperity & progress, joy & love!
Warm regards,
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