Recently I received a rather stinging critique of something I had written. If you're a writer or artist of some kind, you know how hard it is to read less than favorable comments about your work.
My first reaction is defense:
You mean and nasty critique person! You just don't understand. I used this word because. . .
Can't you understand that I started the article this way because. . .
Did you really read and comprehend my work? I think you missed the point.
And so on.
But in the back of my head is this verse from the Old Testament:
"Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth." (Numbers 12:3 NIV Bible)
And so I go back and read the critique again.
This time I tell myself, "If Moses, one of Israel's greatest leaders, and the one whom God talked to face to face, was humble, then I can certainly be humble too."
This time I read the critique with new eyes, eyes that sincerely want to learn and improve.
Hmm. The constructive criticism makes sense.
I can see what the critique person was talking about.
Yes, I shall make the suggested changes.
It'll really punch up the story.
What great suggestions!
Thank you, nice critique person. I've learned some valuable lessons today.
I'm even going to say "Thank you" next time I see you.
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (1 Peter 5:5)
My first reaction is defense:
You mean and nasty critique person! You just don't understand. I used this word because. . .
Can't you understand that I started the article this way because. . .
Did you really read and comprehend my work? I think you missed the point.
And so on.
But in the back of my head is this verse from the Old Testament:
"Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth." (Numbers 12:3 NIV Bible)
And so I go back and read the critique again.
This time I tell myself, "If Moses, one of Israel's greatest leaders, and the one whom God talked to face to face, was humble, then I can certainly be humble too."
This time I read the critique with new eyes, eyes that sincerely want to learn and improve.
Hmm. The constructive criticism makes sense.
I can see what the critique person was talking about.
Yes, I shall make the suggested changes.
It'll really punch up the story.
What great suggestions!
Thank you, nice critique person. I've learned some valuable lessons today.
I'm even going to say "Thank you" next time I see you.
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (1 Peter 5:5)
Ah, dear Dena--you are sooo right! Critiques ARE hard--especially at first!--each painting is almost like a child to me--but I know that I have learned sooo much from the critiques, and I deeply value what others have to say about my work. I'm glad that you can, too! ...and yes, I do believe that God loves the humble heart!
ReplyDeleteIt helps to put the critique aside for a day...or a month. Then, I go back and read it with less emotion and more objectivity.
ReplyDeleteMaragaret, I'm glad you have a humble heart; the end result is another beautiful painting!
ReplyDeleteSusan, you are so right. After a few days, I'm ready to tackle the critique and make the changes needed. Thanks for your comment.
ReplyDelete