A Valid Criticism?

A Valid Criticism?

To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.

Proverbs 25:12

Walt Disney was bankrupt when he took his “Steamboat Willie” cartoon concept around Hollywood in the late 1920s. Can you imagine Disney trying to sell a falsetto-voiced talking mouse in the days of silent movies? Disney’s dreams were big, and he had plenty of critics. People closest to him, however, believe Disney thrived on criticism. As the saying would go, if Disney asked ten people what they thought of a new idea, and if they were unanimous in their rejection of it, he would begin work on it immediately.^a

Few among us actually thrive on criticism like Walt did. In fact, for many, a single critical comment is enough to shut down all sources of creativity and create a social stalemate. Many people stymie all progress for fear of someone saying something critical. Sir Isaac Newton is said to have been so sensitive to criticism that he withheld the publication of a paper on optics for fifteen years, until his main critic died. Now that’s a serious case of wanting to avoid criticism.

Truth be told, nobody can ever truly avoid criticism; it comes with the territory of being human. No matter how hard you work, how great your ideas, or how wonderful your talent, at some point you will be the object of criticism. Even the perfect motives of Jesus were often misunderstood, resulting in malicious criticism.

Of course, no critic cuts deeper than one’s spouse. When we are criticized on the home front, we feel it to the core. Why? It’s because we expect home to be safe and free from verbal critique. And it should be. The exception is when the critique is valid and respectfully put—that’s the key. We are far more likely to receive constructive criticism when our spouse gently makes clear how valid the critique is, that is, when he or she gives a concrete example with a loving spirit. Of course, the same is true when the roles are reversed, too—and we do well to remember it.

We are not trying to entertain the critics. I’ll take my chances with the public.

—Walt Disney

^a 28