The Ninth of Life's Secret Ingredients (9 of 10 or more)

The ninth of Life's Secret Ingredients is perhaps the most difficult one to put into practice!  It is to:

Be accepting, open, listen ... have good ears.

You may have heard the expression "when the student is ready the teacher will appear."  I feel that the student needs to be constantly ready.  There is so much to learn from those around us!  There are examples and warnings everywhere!  And as you've probably learned already in life, people are always willing to give you their opinion ... usually unsolicited.

Their opinion is many times less opinion and more criticism, but you need to learn to take it.  That doesn't necessarily mean that you have to agree with it or change what you are doing.  Although, not all criticism is bad ... surely you've heard of constructive criticism?  Can it hurt ... yes!  Does it need to be fatal .. no!  Again, you don't have to agree with the 'teacher', but they are providing you with valuable information on how you appear (to them), how what you said came across (to them) and perhaps how silly you look in that gingham button down shirt with the white and purple striped pants (to them).

Also, the advice or criticism that they are sharing with you isn't always based in fact.  Many times it's just their belief ... like when they tell you that gingham doesn't go with stripes it is their belief ... well maybe it is a fact, no matter.  But if they tell you if you stick two screwdrivers in an electrical outlet, holding one in each hand that you will get electrocuted ... well that's probably fact.  They've likely done both of those, learn from their mistakes and your life will be better!  Get the idea?

So:  Accept the advice or criticism, process it, learn from it (choose to do what you want with it to make you a better, stronger, happier person!), then thank them and move on!

Have a great day!