2-9-12   Moon in Virgo    Kin 152    9 Eb

Why do people have to criticize? It’s not an inborn trait. Not only is it so unattractive and unappealing, it’s downright MEAN! Children, before they are damaged and indoctrinated by their parents, peers and society do not criticize. In fact, they possess guileless innocence. No one likes to be around anyone, for long, whose every other word is derogatory.  The ensuing mystery remains, how can the person live with himself?  Probably, the most precious gift human beings have to offer is ‘human relations’. Yes, the art of relating to another human being effectively makes for a genuine life of passion filled adventure. When we can listen, understand and respond to another in an effervescent, (or at the very least, interested) engaging manner, our life reaps untold rewards. Never do we have to criticize, condemn, negate, diminish or disapprove of the thoughts, wishes, ideas and dreams of another.

Criticism springs from deeply ingrained insecurity and inferiority.  Two bedfellows when joined at the hip, breed contempt, sarcasm, disrespect and cynicism. Their demon-like entrenched hold on the person, soaks the personality with morbid disdain. In cold plain facts: these folks lash out at anyone who tries to disturb their self-righteously cherished convictions, ideas, thoughts and attitudes. They become the crotchety, bitter old man or woman {way before the time} who simply will not be disturbed with the truth.  Unfortunately, the truth just happens to be a nuisance which interferes with their superior (refusing to be challenged) nature whose idea of learning or incorporating any other method of doing things-other than their own-breeds utter disgust.

They keep up their idiotic convictions to the very end; no matter how many relationships are destroyed in the process. Why does this have to be?  How in the world can they possibly justify their pungent cruelty to others, even IF they wanted to believe they had a right to their own opinions? No one would disagree that getting along favorably with people is preferred to being so contrary and resistant. It’s certainly not an indication of weakness or discredit to the character of the person. But, it seems so hard for some people to admit they’re wrong, say they’re sorry for not being able to release the commanding seat of power and be so unreasonably unable to back down, determined to be right (acting like an ass) or apologetic for accusing and jumping to conclusions.

When people criticize, they are deplorably unpopular and shunned, if at all possible. Their blunt verbal offenses are clearly not funny nor are they to be overlooked. Criticism places others in a defensive mode. They react emotionally because either their pride has been injured or they feel dismissed as unimportant. We can never justify criticism. We must always be as authentic as we possibly can when dealing with others but never to the point of discrediting them through our unkind words.

Condemnation serves itself up on the same platter of distaste as criticism. Why condemn another? In all actuality, we don’t care enough to do, either. We care about what we are interested in and what motivate us. Give the other fellow the same courtesy!

Why couldn’t it be that IF and When we would ever feel the need to criticize, condemn, or attack another, we step back to realize we have shifted into a undeserving, and certainly, uncomfortable, seat of “Almighty Righteousness”; as if we had the ‘purity of consciousness’ audacity to be able to judge from that superlative level. We are mere mortals; flawed and fragmented. We are incapable of judging our own actions, from a cosmic perspective, how dare we be so vain as to think we can say what’s right or wrong for another? The impudence in man never ceases to amaze me. Self-delusion is the single-most evil faced demon known to be in active existence. We continually have to ‘stay off’ his hand of arrogance and self-intoxicated conceit. We are quick to relay, but, “I don’t criticize people. I try to encourage, help, uplift and inspire them.”

Oh! You do, do you? And, how long have you been aware of these virtuous traits in yourself? Didn’t you detect, in the least, a bit of condescending defensive tone in your self-promotion? “We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of god.” One ancient writer of the scriptures so piercingly accurately implies. So where is the fine line of demarcation that separates us from the intolerable critical brute who must be avoided at all costs? The line is drawn within ourselves: never to seek acknowledgement for what we do for another. For in actuality, we never do for another ONLY for ourselves.

It is written, “Our words and acts condemn us. We receive our rewards immediately.” (Paraphrased) In other words we do what we do because we WANT to do it and for no other reason. Otherwise, we should NEVER do it! It only builds resentment, regret and remorse, fertilizer for: CRITICISM, [not to mention maggot-mouthed gossip} to spread throughout our physical bodies and emotional natures. It is so easy to grow indignant when we THINK we are not appreciated.

Remember: everything’s for sale. No matter how much something is valued or appreciated. We all carry within us a price tag, of sorts. We can be bought (influenced, swayed and convinced depending upon the prize.) Yes, money (along with the superlative attraction power it seemingly offers) does in fact have that much authority; the reason being because people, such as us, give the unearned power to it. We sound like ignorant fools, displaying the pinnacle of foolery when we say we can’t be bought. “There are some things that money can’t buy.” Never let the simple mind of disarray lead us astray.

Nothing really means anything to anyone except how much pleasure or reflection of importance and gratification of security it brings to that person. So, don’t dwell, magnetize or exalt the sentimental value. Enjoy its use, be ever present for the involvement, saturate the interaction with all of you and be true to you. Then, when it’s all said and done, (dispense of criticism) that was as much as you could offer. Be done with any ramifications of wanting or needing more. Anyway, who will ever know what it meant to you, except you? Trinkets: all priceless trinkets.