Enjoy your Friends’ Criticism

Greetings Barbarian! Long days and pleasant nights!

Quick question, have you been at the receiving end of your friends’ criticism or jokes? How did you take it? I’m guessing not quite well and if I were to deduce, the jokes were below the belt and the criticism, very hurtful. I could even be brave enough to say that it is downright bullying. 

Let me be the first to tell you that it is all right. It happens to me and I’m pretty sure that it also happens to them. Last time, there was one friend who tried to make a joke about my skin color on social media. While I very much welcomed their jokes, I have to untag the post because it is on a broader audience than ourselves. I found it very damaging to my image but I harbor no ill feelings towards the joke.

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But if there’s one thing that’s no joke to me are you guys! You see, this is more about you than it is for me. Yes, I write about my experiences but I write it all because of you. Yes, you who served as an inspiration to every word and every idea my simple-minded self could think of. While life does indeed get in the way of writing, I will always find the time to write to you. So, thank you for everything! With that said, I’d like to give a shoutout to a few individuals for their outstanding support:

• H @ https://tmituesdayblog.wordpress.com/2020/02/17/tmi-tuesday-february-18-2020/
• Tidal Scribe @ https://tidalscribe.wordpress.com/2020/02/20/smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives-2020-how-long-does-it-take-to-write-a-novel-by-janet-gogerty/
• Katie @ http://katiemiafrederick.com/2020/02/18/valentines-fireworks-now/

Thank you guys, cheers!

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I’ve already said that challenge drives growth and social challenges are no exception. Friends challenge each other to grow, there is no other way around it. Friends will criticize friends for all sorts of reasons. It may hurt you or reach the end of your patience but always remember that challenge is a necessity. 

Friends are precious, and if you ask me, friends are the real treasure in life. But they’re a bully and abusive and mean, I know, but hear me out. The next time you’ve become the butt of your friends’ jokes or criticism, I want you to take deep belly breaths. Expand your belly, let your breath reach deep down to your pelvic floor. Open up your chest area and lift your chest, extend your spine and relax. 

Relax into your friend’s criticism and enjoy your friendship. I’m not saying to subject yourself to abuse but I’m saying to find calmness in their criticism and banter. True friends are difficult to come by these days. 

By relaxing yourself, you are reaping the benefits of your friends’ challenges. You are opening yourself to the possibility that your friends are on to something. You are allowing yourself to be teachable. If your will is stronger than what your friends say, then there is no need to feel hurt. 

So that next time you feel hurt by your friend’s criticism and jokes, stop and take a deep breath, enjoy that moment. Cherish those moments with your friends, because truly, nothing lasts forever.

To COURAGE, FREEDOM, and FRIENDS!

“Don’t walk in front of me… I may not follow
Don’t walk behind me… I may not lead
Walk beside me… just be my friend”
― Albert Camus

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