Proverbs Experiment: Day Twenty-Nine

I had an excuse yesterday, my internet access was down - just got back up an hour ago.

Proverbs Chapter 29:

Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be broken beyond repair. (vs. 1)

Wow, is this a true statement. I think sometimes it takes others to see the weaknesses in ourselves. It's hard to hear from other people what those weaknesses are, but if we truly believe that there is something to be learned from criticism, we will grow from it and will hopefully turn those weaknesses into strengths. If we don't accept criticism, those weaknesses in our life may get too big and irreparable. Therefore, even if a criticism seems picky or little, it's good to face the criticism now and see what needs to be fixed now, before it's too late.

There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking. (vs. 20)

This is where I'm glad that I'm an internal processor, rather than an external processor. Someone who processes information internally thinks through options and responses before saying something. Someone who processes information externally uses their words to help them process options and responses. And external thinker is usually pretty popular in staff meetings and committees, because it seems like they are more involved and engaged in the conversation. We internal thinkers can be viewed as aloof or disinterested, but that's not the case: we are simply taking in all the information given and thinking through everything before responding.

Of course, I'm sure the above proverb has nothing to do with staff meetings or the like - but being an internal thinker does have its advantages sometimes!