CRITICISM - CONSTRUCTIVE & DESTRUCTIVE -WHEN NOT TO CRITICISE - WHEN IS CRITICISM A MUST?

CRITICISM

There is this beautiful saying that - you can approach Life either as a creator or as A critic. 

If you approach life as a Creator - you are constantly busy, creating some thing new. You are criticizing your own work - as it proceeds and improving it. You are therefore left with very little time - for criticizing the work of others. Even if you do sometimes criticize - it will be like a teacher's advice to his disciple - and highly effective, constructive and  improving the work of the other person.

Your criticism -of your self and of your disciples - is not personal - but is limited to the assessment of the creative work. In the Half full - Half empty mindset - you are one who is always looking at the Half full side of the Glass. The Creator is a born optimist.

But, if you are one approaching life as a critic - the opposite becomes equally true. You are left with very little time for any creative effort. You are constantly looking for mistakes, blunders,  oddities, stupidities etc - in the creative works of others. Some times, your criticism may be constructive, criticizing the work of others for improvement. But, the very habit of being a constant critic, makes you criticize the person too - apart from his work most of the time. 

Yes. every creator needs a constructive critic - who first appreciates the Creator's work and its positive angles - and then points to the improvements that are possible in this work - and in the future works. Yet, the role of even a constructive critic - is secondary - in the society, compared to the Creator. Unless, the creator exists, the critic, even the constructive critic, is almost useless to the society. In the Half full - Half empty mindset - a constructive critic must constantly make conscious effort to look at the Half full side and also the Half empty side of the Glass. The constructive critic needs to constantly remind himself to be an Optimist.His optimism is - in the ability of the creator - whop can transform the society to the Better - but he himself feels incapable of such effort.

The worst of the 3 categories is the critic - who is not constructive.  In the Half full - Half empty mindset - this sort of critic is always seeing and is able to see only the Half empty side of the Glass. He is the ultimate pessimist. He has no suggestions to offer to the creator. But, he has plenty of things to find fault with - in the creator's work, and in the creator himself. 

From the time, he wakes up in the morning, each day of life sees him  criticizing all the people around him, all the systems around him and always feels that nothing in the world can become better. If some thing becomes better, some thing else has already become far worse. He feels neither he nor any others are capable of doing any thing positive for the world. The world is a bad place to live in. He wants others to listen to him - but has nothing positive to offer. His presence or his proximity is enough o drive others nuts. One must either shun his presence - or be very curt to stop him in spoiling the efforts and moods of others.

If you find a creator mindset in your proximity - or within you - go all out to encourage that mindset. We must go one step further in saying this. Each Individual must become a creator in some field of human endeavour. God has created us in his own Image exactly for this purpose. Fell God's hands and God's mind in you and attempt your creative effort. Wherever you find a creator - who is doing any positive work, and making a positive contribution to the society - encourage him in all possible ways.

But, of course, some constructive criticism is also essential. Otherwise there will be very little improvement. A parent must offer constructive criticism - to his children. A teacher must offer it to his students. Every citizen must offer constructive criticism to the leaders he elects to carry on the process of Governance. These, as you can see, are DUTIES - which are essential.

Unfortunately, today, children are becoming unwilling to take even constructive criticism of their parents and Teachers.

Political leaders are increasingly becoming incapable of accepting the constructive criticism of citizens. Constructive criticism will be in the form of praise when one does the right thing or good thing. But, it will be censure when one doesn't do the right thing, or, when one does the wrong thing.

We must learn to accept such constructive criticism - and offer it when it is due from us.

But, each of us must desist from destructive criticism - which is purposeless - which turns the other person into a negative mindset; which creates ill will and enmities in the society.

A Government or an Institution, working for public and customer benefit - must make extra efforts to seek criticism - and be prepared to receive both constructive and non-constructive criticism 

If this is understood - progress of the society and of the Individuals is - ASSURED. Our society will be a Great Place to live.

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Great quotes from = Stephen R. Covey = Author of = "7 Habits of Highly Effectife People"

Great quotes from

Stephen R. Covey

Stephen R Covey is a renowned speaker-author and a specialist in personal success doctrine. His " 7 Habits of Highly effective people " has truly revolutionized the personal success literature and added LIFE to the lives of many aspirants of personal success. 

I love reading him, listening to him and looking up to some of his Great quotable quotes often.

Here are a few of them. The way I read them is – I read, re-read and  think where exactly it is applicable in my own personal life right now. I also examine their application in the lives of  the prominent personalities I know. 

To me, therefore,  - Each quote takes some time – before I can move to the next. I think, that is the effective way, anyone must read them. Take your time. Do not hurry through.

None of these are just beautiful quotes that you or I will need to tell others, to display our knowledge. They are of far greater consequence to us. They can change our life; our life style; Our capability to enjoy life; our capability to be more effective; our capability to love others. And Our capability to leave a legacy in this world.

Stephen may or may not be aware; but a good number of these are very close to what the Bhagavad Gita says – in various chapters, mainly the Karma Yoga chapter. After 5000 years – they are as relevant today, as they were then, and as they will always be. And, some are very close to what the Bible says. A few (like sl.15) are close to what the Buddha says.

Each of them is pulsating with life – with life’s success, that is – and each of them is not just a thought – each requires your ACTION.

Here are some of his (my) choice quotes :

1.   The way we see the problem is the problem.

2.   The first choice we make each and every day is, "Will we act upon life, or will we merely be acted upon?"

3.   The main thing is - to keep the main thing the main thing.

4.   Those who get the most out of life and those who give the most are those who make the choice to act.

5.   While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions. Consequences are governed by natural law.

6.   While we cannot always choose what happens to us, we can choose our responses.

7.   People with a scarcity mentality think there is only so much in the world to go around. It's as if they see life as a pie. When another person gets a big piece, then they get less. Such people are always trying to get even, to pull others down to their level so they can get an equal or even bigger piece of the pie.

8.   Each of us tends to think we see things as they are, that we are objective. But this is not the case. We see the world, not as it is, but as we are - or, as we are conditioned to see it.

9.   True effectiveness is a function of two things: what is produced (the golden eggs) and the producing asset (the goose).

10.        As we make and keep commitments, even small commitments, we begin to establish an inner integrity that gives us the awareness of self-control and the courage and strength to accept more of the responsibility for our own lives. By making and keeping promises to ourselves and others, little by little, our honor becomes greater than our moods.

11.        To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you're going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction.

12.        It's incredibly easy to get caught up in an activity trap, in the busy-ness of life, to work harder and harder at climbing the ladder of success only to discover it's leaning against the wrong wall. It is possible to be busy - very busy - without being very effective.

13.        Whether we are aware of it or not, whether we are in control of it or not, there is a first creation to every part of our lives. We are either the second creation of our own proactive design, or we are the second creation of other people's agendas, of circumstances, or of past habits.

14.        A good affirmation has five basic ingredients: it's personal, it's positive, it's present tense, it's visual, and it's emotional.

15.        If you don't know yourself, if you don't control yourself, if you don't have mastery over yourself, it's very hard to like yourself, except in some short-term, psych-up, superficial way.

16.        Seek first to understand, then to be understood.

17.        Communication is the most important skill in life. We spend most of our waking hours communicating. But consider this: You've spent years learning how to read and write, years learning how to speak. But what about listening? What training or education have you had that enables you to listen so that you really, deeply understand another human being from that individual's own frame of reference?

18.        Principles are natural laws that are external to us and that ultimately control the consequences of our actions.

19.        The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.

20.        There are three constants in life... change, choice and principles.

21.        Accountability breeds response-ability.

22.        Basing our happiness on our ability to control everything is futile

23.        Between stimulus and response is our greatest power - the freedom to choose

24.        We are limited but we can push back the borders of our limitations

25.        Nothing is more exciting and bonding in relationships than creating together

26.        Interdependency follows independence.

27.        To touch the soul of another human being is to walk on holy ground.

28.        Trust is the glue of life. It's the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships.

29.        I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.

30.        Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.

31.        The enemy of the “best” is often the “good.”

32.        Live, love, laugh, leave a legacy.

33.        Be a light, not a judge. Be a model, not a critic

34.        Without involvement, there is no commitment. Mark it down, asterisk it, circle it, underline it. No involvement, no commitment.

35.        Humility acknowledges that there are natural laws or principles that govern the universe. They are in charge. Pride teaches us that we are in charge. Humility teaches us to understand and live by principles, because they ultimately govern the consequences of our actions.

36.        When the trust account is high, communication is easy, instant, and effective.

37.        Happiness, like unhappiness, is a proactive choice.

38.        Proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Influence. They work on the things they can do something about

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24 to 35 Year olds are succumbing to Heart Attacks? why? = You Can't Be HAPPY & HEALTHY - Until You Become RESPONSIBLE = BUT, FOR WHOM & FOR WHAT - MUST YOU BE RESPONSBILE?

ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE?

For whom are you responsible? For what – are you responsible? For how long will you remain responsible?

These are questions you must ask yourself – to ensure that you are really leading - a purposeful, fruitful, satisfying, learning, happy – life.

These are not empty questions which can be answered flatly with a NO. They don’t call for NO as an answer. They need a YES answer from You.

Which means – you must be totally and wholly responsible for some one’s health, education, happiness or prosperity – or all of them.

Our march forward towards more material comforts and technological progress is being accompanied by our becoming less and less responsible for the lives of others around us – who are to some extent dependent on us for this.

Likewise, we are receiving much less care from others too.

We are living as islands – as barren islands – unconnected with each other. We are more connected with our Gadgets – the cell phone, the iphone, the computer, the TV and so on – than with live human beings.

This – is no way to live.

We are now not even responsible for our own health, our own happiness, our own Life!

I will focus on 2 or 3 critical aspects of our life, which are hurtling downward right now.

In the last few one year, I have been frequently hearing of more and more deaths due to heart attacks, of youngsters in the age group of 24 to 35. This is in India especially. All these youngsters are in high salary income groups. The others around them – are not yet listening to these ominous signs of Bad living habits.

They must become responsible for their health and their lives first – not just for their firms; not just for their projects, or their work. Be alive first. Be healthy first. If you can’t be healthy and alive at 24 – you can’t be anything in life. You are clearly on a wrong path.

Let us move one step above them and look at their Managers. As Managers, are you responsible for your subordinates’ work only – and not responsible for their life and health? You are. There cannot be a NO as answer for this question. If your subordinate dies of a heart attack – you do have some share of responsibility in his pre-mature death. You could have possibly, prevented his heart attack – even if you did not induce it. Some Managers may have induced it too.

Managers must take responsibility for their subordinates’ health and happiness. Their own Managers must take responsibility for their subordinate Managers’ health and happiness. The flow of responsibility must start from the Chairman and CEO level downwards. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR NOT ONLY YOUR STATED CORPORATE GOALS – BUT ALSO FOR YOUR TEAM MATES’ HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.

I strongly feel – that when a few youngsters die at 24-35 ages in a company due to heart attacks – the Government must take RESPONSIBILITY  and ask the company openly – Look, what is happening? What are you doing to these youngsters? Government must conduct a detailed enquiry into the work ethics prevailing in the company.

There is a frequent assertion in corporate circles that – what doesn’t kill you strengthens you!

But, how do you know whether it kills you or strengthens you – until it kills you?

Many so called super-achievers end their life too prematurely – out of heart attacks, cancers, other fatal diseases, or just out of too many failed marriages, which tells on their personal life and career life both.

Life is a balance between achievement, health and happiness. The world does not need unhappy, unhealthy achievers. The world needs happy, healthy achievers. But, of course, the world does not need, lazy, parasitic non achievers.

Bhagavad Gita is an extraordinary science delivered to the world over 5000 years ago by the super-scientist, Lord Krishna.

He was explicit in stating that you can’t be a happy person; you can’t be a yogi – unless you tread the middle path. Actually, Yogi is not a renouncer of everything, in the words of Lord Krishna. He enjoys everything in a wonderful, balanced way. You must not sleep too much, or too less. You must not eat (or drink) too much or too less. You must not give yourself to other pleasures – too much or too less. Moderation in everything is the key to success, happiness and long life.

Lord Krishna said this all, in very explicit, clear terms,  to his disciple cum friend, Arjuna – over 5000 years ago. People in India also read it but commit the same mistakes again and again. Either too much. Or, too less. And, then, failures follow automatically.

People lead unhappy lives. People become unhealthy. People die – too prematurely.

All this is happening because, we are unwilling to adhere to the absolutely scientific methods of living told to us by Krishna – 5000 years ago. They were valid then; they are valid now; and they will be valid for all times to come.

The sum total of Bhagavad Gita’s message is – take your responsibility into your hands. Do not run away from it. You can’t be irresponsible. You can’t be a coward.

You must be responsible for your career Goals. You must be responsible for your family Goals. You must be responsible your own health and long life – and your happiness.

You are responsible for the career goals, health and happiness of your subordinates.

Are YOU RESPONSIBLE? Ask yourself – and strive to answer with a YES – as soon as possible.

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THE BEST OF HEALTH QUOTES = HOPE, CONFIDENCE & STRONG WILL = THE BEST CURE FOR EVERY ILLNESS

THE BEST OF

HEALTH QUOTES

There can be absolutely NO DOUBT that Health is your Best Wealth. It is your Best hope for a bright future. Whatever else you have is of No Use – if you are suffering from chronic Ill-health. But then, ill-health is produced by you only, most of the time – and is eminently curable by you. The Doctor is an added help. The medicines are an added help. We will carry a  few revealing articles on this topic in this Blog. But, first, let us look at some beautiful, inspiring quotes on Health and Ill-health.

As these quotations reveal almost authoritatively – our task, yours and mine, – is to create and sustain Hope, confidence and a strong will in every Patient suffering from any Illness – that he or they will get will by their own sheer hope, confidence and strong will. Doctors and medicines are added help. But, it is they themselves who cure themselves. I urge readers to take this as a Life Mission. It is easy to do, but its contribution to the sufferers is invaluable. You can be LIFE SAVING!

Ø  Water is life's mater and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water.-  Albert Szent-Gyorgyi (Hungarian Biochemist, 1937 Nobel Prize for Medicine,)

Ø  Health is not valued till sickness comes. -  Thomas Fuller (British Clergyman and Writer)

Ø  Overcame 15 years of asthma using visualization and relaxation techniques, which proved to me just how powerful my mind is - and how enormously it influences our health and wellbeing. - Craig Townsend

Ø  The way you think, the way you behave, the way you eat, can influence your life by 30 to 50 years. - Dr. Deepak Chopra

Ø  Love is the great miracle cure. Loving ourselves works miracles in our lives. - Louise Hay, Cancer survivor

Ø  The less you open your heart to others, the more your heart suffers. - Dr. Deepak Chopra

Ø  Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling five balls in the air. You name them - work, family, health, friends, and spirit - and you're keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls - family, health, friends, and spirit are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged, or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life. - Brian Dyson, former CEO of Coca Cola

Ø  A sad soul can kill you quicker than a germ. - John Steinbeck

Ø  Love cures people — both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it. - Dr. Karl Menninger   

Ø  Music's the medicine of the mind. - John A. Logan

Ø  An imaginary ailment is worse than a disease. - Yiddish Proverb

Ø  Diseases of the soul are more dangerous and more numerous than those of the body – Cicero

Ø  He who has health has hope; and he who has hope has everything. -Arabian Proverb  

Ø  Almost no germ is unconditionally dangerous to man; its disease-producing ability depends upon the body's resistance. - Dr. Hans Selye 

Ø  Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without. - Confucius

Ø  A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book. - Irish Proverb

Ø  The cell is immortal. It is merely the fluid in which it floats that degenerates. Renew this fluid at regular intervals, give the cells what they require for nutrition, and as far as we know, the pulsation of life can go on forever. - Dr. Alexis Carrell - Nobel prize winner

Ø  The human body heals itself and nutrition provides the resources to accomplish the task. - Roger Williams Ph.D.

Ø  The absorption and organization of sunlight, the essence of life, is derived almost exclusively through plants. Since light is the driving force of every cell in our bodies, that is why we need green plants.- Dr. Bircher-Benner

Ø  The positive effect of kindness on the immune system and on the increased production of serotonin in the brain has been proven in research studies. Serotonin is a naturally occurring substance in the body that makes us feel more comfortable, peaceful, and even blissful.

Ø  In fact, the role of most anti-depressants is to stimulate the production of serotonin chemically, helping to ease depression. Research has shown that a simple act of kindness directed toward another improves the functioning of the immune system and stimulates the production of serotonin in both the recipient of the kindness and the person extending the kindness. Even more amazing is that persons observing the act of kindness have similar beneficial results. Imagine this! Kindness extended, received, or observed beneficially impacts the physical health and feelings of everyone involved! - Dr. Wayne Dyer        

Ø  There's something called the physiology of forgiveness. Being unable to forgive other people's faults is harmful to one's health. - Dr. Herbert Benson

Ø  When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or fight like hell. - Lance Armstrong, Cancer survivor

Ø  My cancer scare changed my life. I'm grateful for every new, healthy day I have. It has helped me prioritize my life. - Olivia Newton-John, Cancer survivor

Ø  The most important thing in illness is never to lose heart. - Nikolai Lenin

Ø  Everything that happens in your life, and everything that happens in your body, begins with something happening in your consciousness. ... the causes of symptoms are within. While it's true that germs cause disease and accidents cause injuries, it is also true that this happens in accord with what is happening in the consciousness of the person involved. Germs are everywhere. Why are some people affected and not others? Something different is happening in their consciousness. ...

Ø  If our consciousness is directing how we develop symptoms, it can also direct how we release these same symptoms. If our consciousness can make our body ill, our consciousness can make our body well. ...You have the ability to love wherever there was a perception of a lack of love, or a call for love. Love heals. You have in your consciousness the potential and ability to heal anything, on any level, in yourself as well as in any other Being, since it's all just love and energy. What remains is for you to realize this fully and actualize that potential. ... Anything can be healed. - Martin Brofman, Ph.D. Cancer survivor

Ø  It is a simple thing to be healed of cancer. It is the body that does the work, not my head. I only furnish it with the tools needed to obtain good health. ... My journey was interesting and I still claim that cancer was the best thing that ever happened to me. It woke me up out of my passivity and gave me focus and energy and an awareness of my character. ... cancer good or bad it is, as all of life, in how you look at it. For me it was very good and taught me much about myself. After all, it matters to have an end to journey towards, but it is the journey that matters in the end. ... I always say it is about the journey not the cancer. - Dennis Robinson, PhD, Cancer survivor

Ø  The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes. - William James

Ø  Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities - always see them, for they're always there. - Norman Vincent Peale

Ø  He who fears something gives it power over him. - Moorish Proverb

Ø  In health there is freedom. Health is the first of all liberties.- Henri Frederic Amiel  (Swiss writer)

Ø  Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise  -  Benjamin Franklin

Ø  Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.-  Lao Tzu

Ø  Liberty is to the collective body, what health is to every individual body. Without health no pleasure can be tasted by man; without liberty, no happiness can be enjoyed by society. -  Thomas Jefferson quotes (3rd US President ).

Ø  Every human being is the author of his own health or disease. - Buddha

Ø  Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.-  Buddha

Ø  Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading. I will rather say more necessary because health is worth more than learning. - Thomas Jefferson

Ø  The greatest wealth is health. - Virgil

Ø  Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.  - World Health Organization, 1948

Ø  The best six doctors anywhere  -  And no one can deny it  -  Are sunshine, water, rest, and air  -  Exercise and diet.  -  These six will gladly you attend  -  If only you are willing  -  Your mind they'll ease  -  Your will they'll mend  -  And charge you not a shilling.  -  Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, What the River Knows, 1990

Ø  Sickness comes on horseback but departs on foot.  - Dutch Proverb

Ø  If you have health, you probably will be happy, and if you have health and happiness, you have all the wealth you need, even if it is not all you want.  - Elbert Hubbard

Ø  A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book.  - Irish Proverb

Ø  Fresh air impoverishes the doctor.  - Danish Proverb

Ø  Water, air, and cleanliness are the chief articles in my pharmacopoeia.  - Napoleon I

Ø  The I in illness is isolation, and the crucial letters in wellness are we.  -  Author unknown

Ø  When it comes to eating right and exercising, there is no "I'll start tomorrow."  Tomorrow is disease.  - Terri Guillemets

Ø  In a disordered mind, as in a disordered body, soundness of health is impossible.  - Cicero

Ø  I think you might dispense with half your doctors if you would only consult Dr. Sun more.  - Henry Ward Beecher

Ø  Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit.  When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open.  - B.K.S. Iyengar

Ø  Sickness is the vengeance of nature for the violation of her laws. – Charles Simmons

Ø  Disease is somatic; the suffering from it, psychic.  - Martin H. Fischer

Ø  The part can never be well unless the whole is well.  - Plato

Ø  Live in rooms full of light  - Avoid heavy food  -  Be moderate in the drinking of wine  -  Take massage, baths, exercise, and gymnastics  -  Fight insomnia with gentle rocking or the sound of running water  -  Change surroundings and take long journeys  -  Strictly avoid frightening ideas  -  Indulge in cheerful conversation and amusements  -  Listen to music.  -   ~A. Cornelius Celsus

Ø  Prevention is better then cure.

Ø  Mental peace leads to good health.

Ø  Hand washing is a most single way to keep you from visiting clinic everyday.

Ø  An Apple a day keeps the doctor away

Ø  Health is a crown over the head of healthy person, only sick people see it.

Ø  Eat your vegetables!

Ø  Eat wise, drop a size.

Ø  Your body is God’s temple. Treat it with respect.

Ø  You are what you eat.

Ø  Illness is a message from your body – listen to it carefully.

Ø  Longer your waist line…shorter your life line.

Ø  Early to bed, early to rise, keeps a man healthy, wealthy and wise.

Ø  

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