Wisdom Wednesday | Ch. 13

 
I think that for some reason we feel important when we are being critical. Perhaps it makes us feel like our opinion matters. It makes us feel that people actually want to hear what we have to say, as long we we’re telling someone they’re doing it wrong, or they’re not good enough, or we know someone who does it better. We think that being a critic, means being heard. But that’s not true ALL the time. Sometimes, it is true. We tend to find it easier to pay attention to people who are talking badly about someone than people who are lifting others up. We barely listen when people talk about someone they admire but we’re leaning in to hear more clearly when someone is gossiping about something they over heard. Maybe we want to listen more to people who are self acclaimed critics instead of people who are always positive and only looking on the bright side. But when it comes to what kind of people I’d rather have in my life, I’d choose the latter.
 
Unfortunately I have to admit that I’m entertained listening to critical people, which is why we think that criticizing makes us more important. I think sometimes we want to hear about the short comings of other people because it makes us feel better about ourselves. But I don’t want those people in my life. The person that I want in my life on a daily basis, is the one who encourages. The one who sees the good in someone that everyone else sees the bad in. The one who appreciates people that everyone else takes advantage of. The one who believes in you when you’ve lost the confidence to believe in yourself. We have enough people who are trying to find their place in this world by bringing others down and being critical of everything. We need more people who are encouraging, hopeful, joyful and look for the best in people and circumstance. Be an encourager.