CRITICISM: the act of expressing disapproval and of noting the problems or faults of a person or thing: the act of criticizing someone or something; a remark or comment that expresses disapproval of someone or something; the act of criticizing usually unfavorably
They don't play for any team. They don't take sides (at least I don't think so). Baseball fans want them to be like children, seen but not heard. Some say when they're not noticed they're doing a great job.
Who are they? The umpires, the "men in blue." Their calls affect a game's outcome. Fair or foul. Ball or strike. Safe or out. And in the end, victory or defeat.
They're the least popular guys on the field because their call can make your team win or lose. Or so it seems. They "call it as they see it." They realize you may not agree with their decision. That's okay, it goes with the territory. Good call or bad, it stands.
As one umpire said during my dad's playing days: "It ain't nothin' 'til I call it..!!" Umps make their decision and stick by it. Period.
Baseball broadcaster and long-time catcher Tim McCarver said it best whenever players and managers disagreed with umpires calls:
"Agreement is not necessary.."
Like any other fan, I don't care for the umps very much when my favorite team plays. But I respect their ability to keep order during the game from first pitch to last. I also respect them because they taught me a valuable lesson from their example:
They taught me how to make a call and stick with it, even when people disagree with you and wish you'd change your mind. I learned from them that you have to stick with your convictions, no matter how unpopular they may be in the minds of others.
In life, as in baseball, you'll make decisions that people won't like. They won't agree with you, and they won't be shy about letting you know how they feel. They'll second guess you and question your judgment. Mock you, ridicule you, make fun of you. Call you every name under the sun because they think you're out of your mind.
They may try to humiliate you, embarrass you, intimidate or even shame you for your views because they think you're wrong.
But you know what?
No matter what anyone says, you get to make whatever decision works best for you. That's your call, not theirs. It doesn't matter that they don't agree with you. It doesn't even matter that they don't like you. They don't have to. They have a right to their opinion, and you have a right to yours. The right move isn't always the popular one and vice versa.
People criticize what they don't agree with or understand. That's no big surprise, it goes with the territory, human nature. But what many people don't realize is that everyone has a right to express their own opinion, and make their own decisions.
Not only that, but some also believe others exist for their amusement. Their goal in life is to be entertained by everyone around them, and those who fail to meet those expectations become targets of their scorn.
"Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people." - Eleanor Roosevelt
But don't think you have to live your life walking on an eggshell covered minefield trying to make people like you. You don't. It's not important that they like, agree with, or even support your decisions. What does matter is this: your decisions are your own, and ultimately they have to respect them (and you) because no matter how hard they try to convince you otherwise, they cannot change them.
One last thing and this is very important...
You don't have to answer anyone's criticism. You do what's best for you and for others. If certain people don't like what you do with your life chances are good it wasn't meant for them anyway, and taking time to defend yourself against critics prevents you from doing the work you believe in your heart that you should be doing:
"Seldom, if ever, do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. If I sought to answer all the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would be engaged in little else during the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructive work." - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., "Letter From Birmingham Jail"
Always remember, no matter how vocal they are, or opinionated, nobody every erected a monument to a critic.
So don't be like velcro, don't take criticism personally. Your critics are just expressing an opinion, nothing more. Be more like teflon and let their words slide off like water off a duck's back.
In the long run, you'll last the longest because overcoming criticism isn't just about having thick skin...it's also about having slick skin.
PLAY BALL..!!! Oops!!! Sorry about that (umpire talk)...
I meant...
Keep it simple... See ya!
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