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You know, I have found out, writing on another board, that is filled with authors in various stages of publications; that (to misquote A. Lincoln), "You can please some of the people some of the times, but not all the people all the times!"

And so adding to the fact that I am French, and given the antipathy some have for my people, that I mostly speak my mind while trying to stay diplomatic, I often get insulted by small minded authors, whose experience in life, consist solely of the world around their homes and getting their opinions while watching T,V! That alone they think, make them worthy of criticising me, often in double entendre since they lack the courage of their convictions.

Forunately- but having lived a long long time, I know that no one is without critics... as poor Jesus found out..and even he advised us to turn the other cheek; I try and do likewise..for as it is said "Convince a man against his will and he remains of the same opinion still!" The last thing I want to do is antagonise people... for it serves no purpose except to further reinforce their opinions of you! It has always been so! First when I came to america they were patronising, because I hardley spoke English; then they did'nt approve of the way I raised my kids the European way -and thus differently then they did. But today I have written 2 books, and scores of article... and my children and their families make me so proud of them I could pop my buttons! So..so much for my critics!

Right now I am going through the same thing, because of my political opinions, that is contrary and very annoying to someone close to my family. (Thankfully my children and I are on the same board!) but this person is so vexed that I fail to see her point of view, that she constantly sends me e mail -that are so amazingly simple minded in their logics- it defies the imagination, mine anyway!

That is however on the outside world, but to go back to the board for which I write for, what I have found, is that if you continually try and ignore other posters barbs, their indifferences, their mean spiritedness (often caused by jalousy) and always answer them with the same caring and thoughtful reflections...Very often- they eventually come around; and while you will never become bosom pals with them, at least you'll have them off your back! I call this "Going fishing" you put out your lines- and eventually bring the catch in!... and they never even knew what happened ha ha..

And let's face it, in the end-critics are good for you, I'd even go so far as saying they are necessary..For when I was younger, nothing spurred me on better then if someone said I wasn't up to a task! I then renewed my efforts just to prove them wrong. Of course now I have nothing to prove to anyone and I go out of my way not to critic others.. in fact one of my favorite expression when I adress someone in need of it, I usually end with:

" Remember this is not a critic -but an observation!"... yea right!

Learn more about this author, Pierrette Komarek.
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