teach me

in the past, i really struggled with receiving criticism. i had a hard time accepting that other people might have a better way of doing things, or that sometimes i might be wrong. i was plagued by my own immaturity. i thought i had it all figured out; but as i've grown up and really begun to examine how the world works, i've realized that in being so stubborn i was really only hurting myself - closing myself off to ideas that might change the way i think or act.

as i've opened my mind to other ideas, points of view, procedures or thought processes, i have begun to understand that the only true way to evolve and grow is to be open, and to make the choice to learn from others rather than taking their advice or criticism personally. the most difficult step in doing so was letting go of my ego and understanding that in the end, being "right" doesn't even matter. what does matter is your ability to use the resources at your disposal; to weigh all the options; to listen to all opinions; to set aside your ego and make decisions based on fact instead of emotion, in order to ensure success.

in the end, i have goals to pursue. i have things i believe in that i want to achieve. and as long as i kept getting in my own way by thinking i had it all figured out, i was not going to be successful. so i began to shed those layers of youthful ignorance in exchange for being open to the wisdom, maturity and experience of others.

there is so much to learn in this life. allowing the experience of others to mold and shape your outlook can be an efficient way to gain wisdom. one of the most important things you can do for yourself is not only to learn from your own mistakes and successes, but to learn from the mistakes and successes of others as well - and to be open to the advice that offers.

life is too short to ever stop learning!