" The Critic … "

Tell it like it is...

He gets up real early on his mornin drive.

Down to the office for his 9 to 5 ...

Loves to tell the local bands down at the bar that he's The Critic.

Yea, I can hook you up, I know everybody, in the business

He flunked junior high band he couldn't march in time.

He tried to write a song once, he couldn't make it rhyme.

He's a happy critic...

He's rollin in the dough...

~ Toby Keith ~ The Critic ~

***

Wait for it ... and there it is ... The Critic.  And it only took less than a week from launching my personal website, to bring out the hating.  I find it really interesting because “anonymous” not only voiced an opinion on my ideas, but also my writing skills.

Here’s the catch .... I appreciate the feedback!! 

That is why I’ve put myself out there.  Basically, you have to have a thick skin.  To have any sort of virtual presence comes with its ups and downs, it comes with the territory.  You open yourself up, you are vulnerable.  And you do weigh the options often ... is it really worth it?  I guess I am really interested in such opinions because it reveals much more about the commenter than it does about me.  You see “anonymous” may have not been very kind, but at least they took the time to read?!

I am learning that people will criticize you about things they do not like about themselves or things they can’t do themselves.  

I am learning that jealousy is the fuel of criticism.  When we see someone who has the life we want, the things we want, the happiness we want or the relationship we want ... we try to justify why some people have it and we don’t. 

I am learning that other people simply do not feel good about themselves, and they need to tear others down to make themselves feel better about who they are.  

So thank-you “anonymous” ... I full expected that sooner or later, it would happen.  I appreciate that taste is subjective and not everyone will like everything.  And I appreciate that writers make easy targets for those who want to pick on someone.  And some people get their kicks making others feel bad.  To each their own.

Oh, and speaking of styles ... “anonymous”, your’s is a dead giveaway so you are not unknown anymore.  You may want to brush up on your “anonymous” skills.  Sadly the time you spent hating my work, you could spend on gaining some real courage.  

www.walkstrong.ca

" Fake It ... "

it's a rush

keep your eyes on the ball

make them believe you have it all

it's a show

whatever you do don't let them know

you're just a tragic kid

sex, drugs and rock'n'roll

biggest cliché ever told ... 

bring it on

the hair and the make up

get that badass attitude

hit the stage

like you got no future

crank those marshalls till they die

jack daniels and money talks

life is good when you're on the rocks ...

fake it, you gotta fake it till you make it

~ Big Boy ~ Fake It ~

***

You may be familiar with the saying “fake it till you make it” ... you know, the recommended behaviour to “pretend” until we are the real thing ... hmmm, so along the same lines, is it acceptable to fake kindness or love ... pretending to care as an alternative to showing that you don’t?  

Believe it or not, some people think so because they start out pretending to care, next thing you know, they actually do care ... because they like the positive feedback ~ the way it makes them feel.  So first you pretend, then it turns into the real thing.  

No harm done right?

Yet what about the authentic experience?  Are we not just trying to brainwash ourselves?  Think about it ... when you “put on a happy face”, it induces greater happiness.  When we pretend to laugh, we sometimes make ourselves really laugh.  And when we recite affirmations, are we not trying to convince that inner voice that maybe knows better?

Possibly before very long, “faking it” creates a new, authentic experience of our desired state ... so again, no harm done right?  But where does integrity fit in to all this?  Well, we lose it and we lose it quickly.  Integrity means that the ‘inside’ and  ‘outside’ are harmonious.  And instinctively, we trust people of integrity ... because we know in our heart of hearts that they are not faking it .. our soul tells us that they are worthy of our trust.  

To me it makes more sense to acknowledge my limitations and position I am in.  The best thing I can do is act within my means because there’s a fine art in managing expectations when I am aiming high and my resources are limited.  That is not to say that I don’t focus on the knowledge within and believe that I have everything I need to succeed.

I guess we all have to decide how much "fake" we can live with ...

I know building something from nothing is not easy, but lying about it won’t make me feel any better about my struggles.  I don't "pretend to care" because when I actually do care, others won't know the difference.  I choose to live without pretending, knowing that I can say I made it and didn't have to fake it ...