Criticizing Others can be a lot more harmful than you think ...

So many of us are so quick to judge and criticize someone else without evening thinking twice.  Our tolerance level for something different from our own is practically non-existent, making us argumentative and easily angered.  It is sad but true and what is even truer is that there will always be differences and always have been differences between us. Therefore I believe all is interconnected, meaning everything affects everything else.  So maybe we should take a look at why it's so important to consciously choose where we put our thoughts, words and attention and how we spend our time. Are we finding fault and tearing down or lifting up and helping to heal? Criticism creates a destructive force of energy, reaching much further than we imagine... When you place negative energy upon another human being, you are being destructive  and hurting him or her, whether you realize it or not. You have the ability to damage another's self-esteem and self-worth, which in turn changes who they are and how they perceive and act in the world around them. Also you are placing negative energy out into the world for yourself. You attract what you put out and receive it back. Would you want someone to do or say something to hurt you? Of course not! We are human it is inevitable we make mistakes. Mistakes are necessary tools of wisdom and growth. If you truly feel that someone is wrong, then don't give them any energy! Placing your focus of attention on them only gives them more power. When you make derogatory statements about others, you're really talking about... yourself! When an individual criticizes another, it is a defense mechanism. Their reaction and behavior is a by-product of their feelings and issues they are challenged by and their behavior has nothing to do with you or the other person. The ego is at work here, and whenever the ego takes over you can rest assured it is not going to be a positive experience. The ego only looks out for number one (you). It is self-centered, not centered-in-self. Big difference! Respect yourself by respecting others and not tearing them down. Honor and love yourself and you will never dishonor or hate another. Lets be a good and positive example for our children, which are our worlds future.. Yes, we still have wars. Yes, we still see injustices. No one is immune to feeling sadness for the human suffering that goes on in the world. However… are you one to perpetuate these things by choosing thoughts and words of anger and dissension, or are you one trying to elevate the planet by uplifting others and inspiring hope for a peaceful future? Humanity is interconnected. We are each part of the whole experience of life. There is no separation. What you do to another, you also do to yourself and to the world. What hurts one person does hurt us all. We are not powerless to change the world. We are all significant and have the power to make the world a better place. Let's give and provide and focus our attention on positive energy, the energy we want to increase, not negative energy of all we see that's bad in the world. We know that we're all different, have our own opinions and everyone is never going to agree on everything. Having said that as our moms like to say…’If you can't say something nice….’ well, you know the rest... "You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean, in a drop." Rumi Core Workout Challenge to help you Shine your light... I'm not going to lie, every once in a while I wish my life was simpler or different. But I choose more......And more is stunning and complicated. So how can we learn to separate constructive criticism from negativity? On top of that, how do we build a tougher shell to fight against the negativity? The reality is: 99 percent of the time, the stabbing comment is not about you. It's about them. The haters will hate because they are hurt and sad and challenged. Shine your light brightly so that those who have not yet found their light, will be able to see their way through the dark. As we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we liberate ourselves from our own fears our presence automatically liberates others. Shine bright... light the way. The only impossible journey is the one you never begin. A core challenge to help you shine brightly so others can find their way http://youtu.be/1nZGGmJOFvs 1 to 3 Rounds 40 Scissor Kick crunches 20 High Plank / Low Plank 40 Hip Rotation Plank 40 Strict Mt Climbers 40 Animal Walks 20/20 Side Crunches (20 each side)