For Inspiration Watch a Kite Fly Against the Wind

Given a steady wind and a properly balanced kite, the kite will soar to great heights. But if the nose of the kite is pointed downward, the same wind will send it crashing into the ground.

Just as wind can either lift a kite or destroy it, criticism can either motivate you to reach lofty goals or dissipate your drive. Those who criticize far outnumber those who achieve. Yet no statue was ever erected to a critic. Rather than seeking to appease and mollify critics, utilize their admonition to stay on track.

Criticism is human nature. Instead of creating or innovating, people find it easier to criticize. If you want to accomplish something, critics will have an endless number of reasons why you won't or shouldn't succeed.

To use criticism to reach great heights, understand that if you are being criticized you are in the company of all great doers. By reaching out and extending yourself you rise above the horizon and become a target.

What kind of criticism do you think the following person would receive? He dropped out of grade school. He ran a country store. He went broke. It took him 15 years to pay off his bills. He married, but had an unhappy marriage.

He ran for congress and lost twice. He then campaigned for the senate but also lost twice. He delivered a short speech and the audience was indifferent. He was attacked daily by the press and despised by half the country.

How many would label this man a loser who would never make it? Who was this man? Abraham Lincoln. What was the short speech? The Gettysburg Address.

Put yourself in this situation. After only three months of schooling your teacher informs your parents that you don't have the intellectual capacity to pursue an education. So you are taken out of school.

But you have an insatiable curiosity and want to make a living discovering and inventing. Would your dreams be condemned? Might you be laughed at? Probably. However, Thomas Edison did reasonably well with only three months of schooling and an "inferior" mind.

Ponder the plight of this poor fellow. He had a radical new concept for transmitting information. His ideas were so preposterous that his friends and family tried to have him locked up in a psychiatric institution. Undeterred, in the 1890's, Guglielmo Marconi proceeded to successfully develop the radio.

Are you routinely chided or ridiculed for your dreams, desires plans or goals? If so, take a look at the people offering their negative opinions. Are they experts in the areas that you are striving for? Have they already accomplished what you are trying to do? Are they presenting their "advice" because they want you to succeed? If the answers are no, why would you ever allow their criticisms to deter you?

How do you fly against criticism? Believe in yourself and your goals. You don't need approval. You aren't obligated to convince anyone that your ideas are worthwhile. Often it's prudent to keep your aspirations mostly to yourself. Seek out others who are also working towards their dreams and form a motivational group to help each other.

When you succeed, some people will tell you they knew you could do it. Others will insist you must have been lucky or were in the right place at the right time. These will be the very same people who were convinced you'd never make it.

Use criticism to feed your determination and strengthen your resolve. Make it the wind that will propel you to new and exciting achievements.

copyright 2005 Bryan Golden

Bryan Golden is a self-development and motivational expert, author, and adjunct professor. He is the author of "Dare to Live Without Limits," and writes a nationally syndicated newspaper column. For more information please visit: http://www.daretolivewithoutlimits.com or http://www.bryangolden.com

BBC Sport
Marathon swim delivers another sensational finish - and ...
BBC Sport, UK - 12 hours ago
Britain have won 39 medals at this Olympics - but have any of them been harder earned than David Davies' silver in the men's 10k open water race? ...

Hope lives for city in inspirational leaders
Detroit Free Press, United States - 18 hours ago
"When you look at what he did, it is inspirational. It lets you know you don't have to come out here and sell drugs, if you get your mind together and do ...

Ottawa Citizen
Review: 'Hamlet 2'
Los Angeles Times, CA - 5 hours ago
As co-writer and director, Fleming has accurately said, "We didn't want to parody inspirational-teacher movies, we wanted to make a movie about a guy who ...
Something is rotten in the state of Arizona Houston Chronicle
Musical 'Hamlet': Tee-hee or not tee-hee Philadelphia Inquirer
Brit Star Coogan Makes US Splash in Hamlet 2 San Francisco Bay Times
Minneapolis Star Tribune - USA Todayall 132 news articles

Inspirational Novel Entitled 'The Beat is Yours Forever' by Peter ...
Free Press Release Center (press release), Canada - 9 hours ago
August 21, 2008 (FPRC) -- Inspirational Novel Entitled 'The Beat is Yours Forever' by Peter Yirrell is Published by Twenty First Century Publishers. ...

Treasures of Transformation(TM) Inspirational Cards Launched As An ...
MarketWatch - Aug 20, 2008
CHICAGO, Aug 20, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Transformology, PC announces Treasures of Transformation(TM), a unique deck of inspirational cards with an ...

Inspirational performer is coming to Fremont
Fremont Tribune, NE - 8 hours ago
By Tammy Real-McKeighan/Fremont Tribune Now, award-winning Christian musician Tony Melendez is coming to Fremont to present “The Gift of Hope” concert. ...

NorthernLife.ca
Active and inspirational: Bocce queen still rolling strong
NorthernLife.ca, Canada - 9 hours ago
BY SABRINA BYRNES Healthy, active and at the age of 92, Fedora Tarini is the oldest member of the Copper Cliff Ladies Bocce Ball League. ...

Inspirational speech kicks off D. 41 school year
Lake Villa Review, IL - 16 hours ago
Vroman found Portscheller's speech to be inspirational and wanted to tell her so. In the process, Vroman ended up getting some valuable advice and ...

Young Jeezy: “Michael Phelps Is the Young Jeezy of the Swim World”
Rolling Stone - 9 hours ago
“All my music is inspirational,” he told Rolling Stone’s Evan Serpick. “You just gotta listen to the words and get what you can get out of it. ...
Jeezy Thrilled Phelps Found Inspiration In His Music Showbiz Spy
all 4 news articles

Inspirational Pittsburgh-area teen dies of cancer
The Associated Press - Aug 19, 2008
PITTSBURGH (AP) — John Challis, who inspired professional players with his battle against cancer, died at his parents' suburban Pittsburgh home on Tuesday. ...

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

The Meaning of Life