For Every Action, There Is An Equal And Opposite Criticism

The title of this article is a quote from an unknown source, but I thought it was as appropriate a title as any. You see, a few weeks back, I received some of the first real negative feedback about an article I had written. Gasp!! … could it be true? Was it possible that not everyone was a fan of my writing? It is a known fact that I am my own worst critic, but could it be true that the fan base was growing?

My first reaction was a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Then a knot developed, which grew and festered, and became a huge tumour spreading throughout my system. I was truly bummed about the response, and it completely consumed me for the remainder of the day. It wasn’t until the next day when I realized that I was completely overreacting. And here’s why — the response to the article was, and I quote, “I’m sorry, I don’t like that.” I could have been offering this person pepper on his salad, to which he could have responded with the same thing, and it wouldn’t have affected me in the slightest. So why, then, when he made the comment about my piece, did I consider giving it all up for a job at the local Tim Horton’s?

It all came down to the human response to criticism. It sucks.

However … I took the steps necessary regarding the criticism. Firstly, I acknowledged it. (”No problem”) … Secondly, rather than dwelling on the issue, I offered alternatives (”check this one out”) and finally, I MOVED ON!! … One of the most difficult things for me to do, both personally and professionally, is to move past the difficult hurdles that I might face, and this was no different. But I managed to accomplish the task.

There was probably an element of truth to his comment … but, just because this particular person didn’t like the article, that does not necessarily mean it was a ‘bad’ article. More to the point, it was just not to his liking. Period. Just as some people like certain movies, and others do not. For instance, my husband’s favourite movie is ‘Pulp Fiction’, whereas I, personally, cannot stomach it (which, by the way, my husband wishes he knew that before we were married!). I’m sure there are many people out there that have this movie on their top ten list of favourites, which is okay. I’m cool with that. But, sorry, I don’t like that (movie). See? I said the same thing! I’m sure there are tons of people that may react in the same manner that I did when the comment was made to me, but that’s okay too. I doesn’t make it a bad movie — just not to my liking.

I guess it all just boils down to opinion. Everybody has one. Everybody is entitled to one. And everyone has a right to offer theirs. I’m just going to have to get used to the fact that not everybody will share the same opinion as me.

A wise poet was quoted as saying, ”The only sin that we never forgive in each other is a difference in opinion.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) U.S. poet, essayist and lecturer). I think it’s possible to forgive, but can we forget? We’ll have to see.