Choose Your Critics

[Starting & Finishing - VIII]

In ninth grade—probably much earlier, but it really picks up in high school—we give permission to everyone to be our critics and thereby determine our market value in the social (or any other) economy.

Jerry said we don’t know how to dress. We’re not cool.
Sarah poked fun at our pimples. We’re not popular.

Teachers do it too.

Mr. Steward gave us a C in art. We’ll never be a designer.
Ms. Shantel said we struggle with reading. We shouldn’t pursue journalism.

When we graduate high school—if we leave it behind—we pick our critics . . . and we pick our cheerleaders. That is, not everyone gets the privilege to comment on the value we bring, the gifts we offer, the energy we invest. We choose.

In high school, it’s anyone who wants. As adults, only a select few are granted permission.

Make your circle of trustworthy critics small. And be sure to include a few cheerleaders.