Don't Allow Others' Criticism to Change Your Life Path

 He shall say: "Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them.

Deuteronomy 20:3

I read a story once about an old man, a young boy, and an old donkey. The three were traveling on a long journey with the old man riding on the back of the donkey and the young boy walking beside the donkey. When they entered the first town, the townspeople were furious with the old man for making the boy walk while he rode on the donkey. They criticized the old man, accusing him of child abuse, and insisted that the young boy ride the donkey while the old man walked. 

Shaken and dismayed by the harsh criticism of the townspeople, the old man got off the donkey, placed the young boy on the donkey, and walked beside the donkey until they reached the next town.

When they reached the next town, the townspeople there were outraged that the young boy rode on the donkey's back while the old man was forced to walk. They accused the young boy of disrespecting his elders and of elder abuse. The young boy was deeply hurt to the point of tears and self-loathing because of the criticism of the townspeople.

After this, the old man and the young boy, in fear of the criticism they would receive in the next town, came up with the perfect plan to avoid criticism. They decided to continue their journey by strapping the donkey to a pole and carrying it as they walked to the next town.

Of course, you know the criticism that both the young boy and the old man will receive when they enter the next town on their journey.

The obvious moral of this story is that people will criticize you no matter what you choose to do. You must overcome your fear of criticism and have the courage to follow the Law of Your Own Being. This means you must trust yourself and your instincts to get you where you desire to go in your life. 

Every achiever, innovator, and change-maker in history has had to overcome criticism to make the world a better place. Stay faithful to the good you are creating for the world's benefit!