Receiving Criticism

When receiving criticism, it can be challenging not to take it personally. Epictetus, a Stoic philosopher, suggests that another person's words can only harm us if we allow them to. Just like hearing a foreign language we don't understand, the meaning of what someone says about us is insignificant until we give it meaning. Listening to criticism without judgment or attachment allows us to process the factual content and understand the other person's feelings. If the criticism is valid, we should take responsibility and make changes accordingly. However, it is important not to take ownership of someone else's feelings, as we cannot control them.