I Criticize Because I Care

"Everyone is your teacher, and the most powerful spiriutal practice is to hang out with people who criticize you."

-- Byron Katie

These powerful teachers that criticize you so passionately are also known as "mothers." They criticize because they care. As do your siblings, friends, colleagues, maiden aunts, bosses, and elementary school librarians. They all care, but we don't appreciate their care because it comes wrapped in criticism. Appreciation is simple: Just changer the word "bitch" to "guru!"

All joking aside, Katie is oh so right in reminding us that everyone is our teacher. Way too much of the time, we're oblivious to that fact. We see a UPS delivery man rather than a teacher. See him as a teacher, though, and it gives a whole new meaning to, "What can Brown do for you?" The bus driver, burger jockey, nail technician, bartender and massage therapist, are all teachers in disguise, too. Just raising our level of awareness about the teachers all around us will bring us innumerable lessons each day.

But, let's get back to our toughest teachers, the hyper-critical, bastards and bitches who continually gives us a hard time. They are both our greatest challenge and our greatest blessing. Because until we can see each of them through the eyes of love, we still have such a long way to go on the spiritual path. They are our toughest test. And God doesn't grade on a curve. Love One, love all.

So, just for today (and maybe longer), see the criticism as care, see the harshness as blessing, and the bitchiness as love in disguise. Thank each and every one of these jerks, I mean teachers, even if the thank you is only a whisper in your heart. And hey, if you really don't have anybody to criticize you, just give me a call!