BRAVERY 52 | List 31

LIST 31 | List the criticisms you've received in the past that have helped you to become a better you. 

I suppose the criticisms helped me acquire a thicker skin and given me plenty of opportunities to practice my favourite party trick: turn shit into sunshine.

Some of them I could do nothing about:

“You’re too tall.” Well, yes. I am 5’10”. When I was being criticized it was likely I was also wearing 4” heels. Classic complaint about something I have zero ability to change, I used to fret over those kinds of things but realized that complaints come from people who need to complain about something. I cannot make everyone happy and that’s okay.

“You play tennis like a man. Be more ladylike.” Well, yes, I did play tennis like a man. And imagine if I were allowed to be less ladylike? I’d have beaten the Williams sisters to more aggressive play by almost 20 years!

“You can do something about that,” complete with scowl and finger pointing up and down from my head to my toes - in reference to my weight. I’m sure I could but between raising four kids, having undiagnosed Hashimoto’s Disease and gall bladder issues, there was little to no time to address it. And why is my weight a problem for you? Yes, it’s a problem for me, but why you? (Believe me, after modelling for over a decade my weight gain has been a humbling experience!)

Essentially, I have become a better me by realizing that the criticism I receive from others is a reflection of themselves and has very little to do with me. I will always be offensive to some people in some manner or other. I took a long time to get where I am and like myself.

As a result of plenty of criticism and judgment, I rarely, if ever, criticize others. It’s simply none of my business to offer my judgment to anyone about their choices - unless requested and I’m happy to offer an opinion, or ten.