Criticism

Criticism = definition: writing or speech that expresses opinions or judgments about the good or bad qualities of something or someone or the act of saying that something or someone is bad, Definition of self-righteousness: the quality of believing that your ideas and behavior are morally better than those of other people

Hello out there? I believe we all struggle with criticism, or being critical (even of ourselves). It can be dangerous and very detrimental to ourselves and others - duh. It also can be very deceptive in that it can lead us straight into the trap of self-righteousness. Granted all of us have virtues and gifts that we have been blessed with, so no two people are the same in how they perceive, solve or react to things.  However if  while living within ourselves we turn life into a comparison thing and a belief that our own way is the only way, it can take us way off the straight and narrow road of doing the right thing, being kind, granting grace, being helpful, compassionate, caring and loving. We are not clones - but rather each and everyone of us special to our own purpose and to God the Father  who created us individually as He willed. We are all "fearfully and wonderfully made". I would suggest, as I am currently working on my own super-critical thought life that I sometimes have of others, that we should slow ourselves down and remember this -that the grace we choose to show might be open a door that behind which a big mirror of self-examination resides, opening up some self-awareness.  After all.  can I cast stones at anyone else when I am not without sin (some of the same issues as others)? I am becoming pretty good in the physical reactions and am now working on the mental aspect of my critical nature. So now as I mumble under my breath or say things "in my brain", I have now adopted an additional ending  to that...when I mentally "state" the conflicting comment, I add the words - JUST LIKE ME! So I will hopefully redirect upon myself that which I know is a self-work in progress that I acknowledge and need to work on....hopefully it will make such "criticism" happen less and less often.