The Spot
One Sunday, a woman sat in front of me at church who wore a
striped sweater. At one point, I saw her
staring at her wrist. I couldn’t see it, but there must have been a spot of
something on her sleeve because she leaned over to look at it. She rubbed it
with her finger. She patted the spot and then pinched the fabric pulling
it. Finally, she seemed to give up and rested
the palm of her hand over the tiny area, on her sleeve.
Her sweater was at least 99% free of spots, but she
concentrated on the 1% that was soiled.
Many times, I’ve focused on one negative comment on a class evaluation,
when I taught, instead of focusing on the other more positive comments.
Sometimes, I’ve let this ruin my entire experience.
Anytime we interact with others, we’re at their mercy.
Constructive criticism can be helpful, but the other can hurt. Some people communicate through criticism. Some people are critical because it makes them feel
better about themselves. Some are
critical because they think they are an expert on everything.
Obsessing on the negative 1% of what is thrown at us can cancel
out the other 99% of what is positive. It’s ok to consider the spot, but
it’s better to focus on the entire sweater.
Have you ever fixated
on one criticism and let it ruin your experience? How do you handle criticism both positive and
negative?
Comments
I really don't know - my life has changed since my mother has been ill and my attitudes too - I do get frustrated with the little things that aren't right, but then remember in the bigger scheme - my mother is being looked after pretty well. I have adapted in life too ..
Cheers - thank goodness I don't focus on one spot!! The computer screen is bad enough .. Have a good week - it's a real spring day here - lucky us ... Hilary
Funny how we can be havin' the best of days and we let a little thing ruin it for us. It's sure not the way God wants us to look at life!
What a beautiful post sweetie.
God bless and have yourself a very positive day void of 'tiny little spots'!!!!
Wow, what a powerful post...it made me think of my principal who only talks to most of us when we have done something wrong and truly she doesn't ever tell us what we do right. I use to be really bothered by her comments but have realized that she must be a pretty miserable person to only point out what each staff members does wrong....meanwhile there is such negative energy in our building so I try really hard not to be sucked up in that. great post!
You're so right, we do tend to focus on the smallest things, forgetting the major are most often, more important components. I try not to let myself think too much about the negative. If I do think about something that's not to my liking, it'll have me tied up in knots for days.
Great lesson, Teresa.
Lee
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