Embracing Truth: Criticism or Compliment — it’s all the same to me
I give thanks to those who have provided me with feedback. Who, through their words, presence, or actions, has awakened me to my truth.
I had these close friends, both of whom I respected a lot. Both of whom I trusted, and both of whom taught me that some people keep score.
Now, the stories of the situations aren’t as important as the lessons I learned from them. They both happened around the same time in my life. These individuals were the closest thing I felt to family and in my world of very little love and trust, I valued our relationships.
With both of these individuals, I hit a pain point — we had a situation where things got activated. When I say it was activated, temperatures were rising. I don’t recall any yelling, just energetically dense.
During the encounter, both individuals mentioned how they never judged me, while listing all the things they could have judged me on. Baby, there was a list. LOL
My heart broke as they ran through my history. So much for not judging me, I thought.
But this situation freed me.
These were people I trusted more than my own family, and in a moment of disagreement, it was as if I fell from their Grace. I trusted them. I was vulnerable with them. I was honest. I remember just listening and not even attempting to shift the energy; the cat was out of the bag now!
There was no going back.
Having my heart broken that way helped me open my heart. People were going to judge me, and have thoughts anyway, the best thing I could do was to stand strong in my truth and let the chips fall where they may.
Now whether I receive criticism or praise, I remain in a state of peace.
Those situations triggered one of my deepest fears, disappointing them and losing them as friends and family.
Now, looking back, I can see the red flags and how maybe one of those situations wasn’t healthy, but at the time, it was good enough due to what I had been used to.
Feeling hurt and betrayed by them seemingly throwing my past in my face, helped me to start recognizing that people are going to think what they think, and it’s important to me to find peace with my choices. And peace with others not being okay with what I believe is correct for me.
What those ‘friends’ had said to me didn’t hurt, what hurt was getting a glimpse into their inner world and thoughts of me. I wish I had known.
I think a part of me did, but never did I think it would come out in a rude and disapproving tone. It was a lesson to me that when people are “good” with you, they will praise you and focus on the “good,” but once they are hurt, or feel backed in the corner, “you’ll meet another version of them.”
And I did!
What those experiences said to me was, to take people off of pedestals, expect humans to be humans, and whether people are praising you or criticizing you — it doesn’t take away from your truth. And it does not change who you are at your core.
So whether people praise me or criticize me, I know that at any moment, the energy can shift, and their expression is not a reflection of me.
Take it all, with a grain of salt.
I LOVE US!
xx,
CHARLiiE
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