Porthole

Praise and Criticism 30dbc#7

Today's prompt is taken from a book I own. "Great Quotes From Great Leaders", published by Motorola, my employer. This one is from Norman Vincent Peale. "The trouble with most of us, is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism." Do you feel this is a valid statement? Tell us why you feel the way you do.

I told Brian that today's 30dbc prompt was about praise and criticism. Perhaps the things that people create get better by criticism, but the people sure don't if it isn't constructive.

Peale is also remembered in politics because of the Adlai Stevenson quote: "I find Saint Paul appealing and Saint Peale appalling." Was Peale a black/white thinker and fear-mongerer? Nixon liked him; Trump went to his church growing up and was married there. Food for thought.

The challenge continues unabated with some folks catching up and others plugging along. And as always a couple startling entries.

PRAISE & CRITICISM

*Charity: "I'm HSP (highly sensitive) so meanness doesn't help me grow. I cringe and crawl back into my closet and slam the door. I told a fellow poet that today's 30dbc prompt was about praise and criticism. Perhaps the things that people create get better by criticism, but the people sure don't. Kick my work but don't kick me. Peale was a bit of a black/white thinker. He has been called a fear-mongerer. Waltz and Stik have had a lot to say about toxic positivity. It's one of the criticisms of Peale. Thanx for sharing what wisdom you have learned while riding this roller-coaster we call life." re "30DBC Day 7: Praise Me, Don't Hate Me" 

*Sonali: "He was my age. I remember that year. I would've been devastated, as I was when Bob was killed in a motorcycle accident that same year. My parents realized that I wouldn't take it well, but they never realised how it affected me. One of the worst times of my life." re "Ruined by praise - #30DBC" 

Ray: "I told a couple folks already that it's okay to criticize what I write but not me. I needed more hugs and mentoring growing up. I've struggled to build self-esteem. Things can be made perfect but not people. Growing up I didn't like to be singled out for anything including praise. I won a contest this past week that I had little expectation of winning. I came up empty in another contest that I was sure that I'd place. So much for my pride. *splat*" re "Humility and Hubris" 

Robert: "I've witnessed melt downs over negative reviews and low ratings. Years ago I raged about a hate rate (no review), a 2.5 in retaliation of a 2.5 given. It's a factor in why I hate r/r here. I don't give out a 5.0 because I like someone. If I were to rate this entry I'd say it was so-so (based on hundreds of your entries that I've read). But yesterday's entry was chillingly brilliant. It wouldn't be honest of me to rate them the same. Yet, another person could feel the opposite." re "The Einstein Trap" 

Sox: "The worse review? "that was nice"... a dismissive voice. I told a fellow poet that today's 30dbc prompt was about praise and criticism. Perhaps the things that people create get better by criticism, but the people sure don't. Kick my work but don't kick me." re "November 7, 2021" 

QP:I don't do well with certain types of criticism. "Tough love" just feels tough without the love. I had a boss I loved working for because he knew how to be supportive while 'tweaking' and guiding us. Trying to make something perfect is fine; trying to make a person perfect isn't. re "Praise and Criticism" 

LeJen: I speak from the annals of Blogville '07. No trophies were offered, no trophies were needed. We blogged for the joy and interactions. But things change. At WDC it's all about the pretty things. I mildly disagree about criticism. I didn't need criticism as a child. I needed mentoring. As a child there were attendance awards but hand in something brilliant a day late? Marked down a grade. As an adult I told Kathie (Sox): Perhaps the things that people create get better by criticism, but the people sure don't. Kick my work but don't kick me. re "The Common Delusion" 

Viv: "Enemies can prove to be helpful by blocking the wrong way but I'd rather hug someone than kick them. I've been kicked a lot. Kick my poems but don't kick me." re "PRAISE/CRITICISM" 

LOST TIME

*Sandy: I think Head Dust Bunny called the maid to make your bed. Nice reference to your Museum. No mother on earth has ever managed such a ginormous block of uninterrupted time to herself. As Viginia Woolf lamented in "A room of her own Familiarity breeds accidents. Should I laugh or give you a hug? Grab the first-aid kit The only activity that causes me to lose blocks of time is reading. I've always been grateful that breathing is a reflex. Oh, to live a thousand lives! So much wisdom but no answer to the question. Oh so much like life. re "8 Hours" 

Ray: I've met some of the old bloggers from years ago. Met them in England, Sweden, Romania and Australia and *gasp* Minnesota. I talked to one recently who wants to jump back in. I need to email her again. And I know for a fact that a couple do peek in. I miss them. Some of the posts this round have been hilarious, others inspiring, a couple chilling. Better than reading the headlines imho. And ... this challenge is good for those who need a daily prod. re "Confessions of a Slacker" 

QP: "Yes, I do like the image of sand in her shoes; it's a great title for a quiet piece. We could all use losing hours in this peaceful way. " re "Sand In Her Shoes" 

Sox: "Yes, a productive blur is appreciated. I remember one crazy night at the hospital I worked at. By morning we were all exhausted but the Head Nurse smiled (she rarely smiled) and praised us all." re "November 6, 2021" 

Viv: "Nicely done. If this were to happen to me I'd be stressed out ... even the promotion part. Covid Season has been really bad for me. I could use a vacation from it." re "VACATION. EIGHT HOURS, TOO MUCH WORK" 

LeJen: "Ah... the Dark Side summons... Some people get more done going back-and-forth. Not everyone can focus for hours like some of the Overlords demand (while they're conducting 'business' at the golf course)." "Losing Battle" 

Charity: "Yep. That's how it happens. If I don't put down thoughts my Muse will pout. That ain't pretty. I had to interrupt my reading a bit today to find an old poem and then Mary Ann wandered in and announced she had murdered her husband... on a Tuesday... of course. So... back to annoying people with my comments! It's getting dark. Seems a tad early. " re

Sonali: "I forgot about "obliviate" (pun intended and unfortunately true)." re "I recall but I forget - #30DBC" 

Richard: "Squirrels everywhere... yep. I had to drink and eat today but I didn't go out. I managed to write part of a story and a poem, so that doesn't count, does it? At 6 o'clock I noticed that the stars were out. Where did the time go." re "There are squirrels EVERYHERE!" 

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DONUTS

Charity: "Love Sonali for dragging Lilli in. There's a different energy this round and you're a part of it. I would go without like Darken but with a bit of a pout like Kathie." re "30DBC Day 5: Coffee & Donuts" 

Sandy: Yeah, show up with a box of a dozen donuts and a gallon of Joe-to-go. Then bill the company. re "Resolution 101" 

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