Below is my post, CRITICISM: TRUE OR NOT TRUE?. Also see my SPECIAL MESSAGE TO MY READERS about changes in my blog this year.

You have the power to decide whether any part of a criticism is true or not.

This week, when a criticism is directed to you, stop and think if part of the criticism might have a “kernel” of truth in it.  Here’s how that works.

If someone were to say to you, “You always make mistakes,” you would ask yourself if you did in fact make a mistake.  If so, that could be the criticism’s kernel of truth, and you can figure out what you can do to avoid making that mistake in the future.

Then, you could throw away the “always” part of the criticism by remembering this was only one specific mistake made only this time. And, it is a mistake you have figured out how to avoid in the future.  

Try this type of thinking this week if anyone criticizes you.

If the children you care about are old enough, share with them how you can figure out a kernel of truth in a criticism rather than become angry or sad about it. Also explain that you can use what you learn about that piece of truth to help you do things better in the future.