Maturity and Correcting Others
When we look at people with affection, we often see ways to assist them with helpful suggestions. We'll tell them in confidentially what others have witnessed but didn't have the courage to tell them about. Our correction and criticism must come from a place of kindness in order to be effective and productive. Once you have to educate someone, do so with kindness, at the appropriate time, and without embarrassing them. And being willing to learn and progress in the areas where you are fixing flaws.
In some ways, our potential to actively change in our own lives is tied to our ability to assist others change. We find it simpler seeing others objectively and support them successfully when we recognize how difficult it is for anyone to change and better, and yet how necessary and freeing that effort is. Someone who can speak the truth plainly to themselves will know when and how to do so with others, and they will be willing to listen to others who do the same.
The ability to receive and endure criticism demonstrates spiritual maturity and wisdom. The guy who likes discipline loves knowledge, while the man who despises correction is foolish. Accepting what others say does not, however, imply that we are swayed by every conceivable critique of our professional or social lives. We would worry ourselves sick if we danced to every song that others raise about who we are or what we do. People who strive for the greater good are frequently chastised, either by those who do very little themselves and perceive their life and career as an indictment of their own or by others who behave differently and see them as an enemy. Even persons who do the same or comparable things might be jealous of others and criticize them.
We may have to forgive individuals who are doing almost nothing for themselves or who cannot envision anything positive happening without them. We must then follow Saint Josemaria's guidance: "You and I must remain silent, pray, work, smile, and wait." Don't pay attention to that nonsense. I adore all of those souls. In Christo Iesu, caritas mea cum omnibus vobis! ”
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