Motivated by Hurt

I’ve read that no one can make you feel inferior without your consent

Does that mean that each time I felt criticized, it was my fault to an extent

That I felt bad- was I an accomplice in the whole interaction

Or the facilitator-I guess I gave someone the satisfaction

Of feeling superior because I acquiesced to a feeling of inferiority

If I stayed unperturbed, would the outcome different be?

*

I cannot control what others do or say

But my fragile self-esteem is easy to sway

Almost immediately in self-defense I react

When I am criticized, for me the impact

Is much greater than the other person probably intended

With one critical remark, my emotional state is upended

*

There is a caveat to be mentioned here

Feeling hurt has led me to persevere

And improve in the area where I was criticized

Criticism is a powerful motivator, I’ve realized

If I were to stay unaffected by criticism, I would not strive

To improve, I would not find within me the same drive..

*

I need to find a happy medium where I am less sensitive

But to criticism I still stay responsive

Where that state of equipoise exists I do not know

Until then I hope hurt feelings continue to help me grow