After Active Rain announced that they would not have the moderators (the volunteer members) critiquing our writing anymore, I knew that the new critiquers of our writing would have a different perspective as well. No matter what the "Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder".
I was actually inspired by Bob Stewart's post yesterday morning Sometimes this place cracks me up, Sometimes it pisses me off It's all in good blogging etiquette. In any case, he realized what we go through sometimes and now understands when we are "buying into someone elses kaka" and how we feel. :)
Yesterday evening my husband and I watched the Disney movie "Ratatouille". The reason my husband and I continuously watch "children's" movies are because they are entertaining as well as ALWAYS have a lesson to be learned. We didn't notice these learning lessons when we were children and now in our older years we sure catch on to to those lessons.
It will be a great joy to watch shows as this with our grandchildren (should we ever be blessed with any) and be able to talk about the lesson at the end of the movie.
Towards the end of the movie, the "Food Critic", and "Ego" was his name (appropriate name don't you think?) did a review of the restaurant and the following are quotes in bold.
After the quote is my relation to the Active Rain staff who are forever trying to please everyone as well as the support from Active Rain members. Sometimes they are appreciated and sometimes not. More often than not, they go through learning lessons too.
- We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgement. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face is that, in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. Active Rain has pretty level headed people working in front and behind the scenes so be rest assured that what you were given for free would be appreciated for the gifts it is giving you back. Google juice without a doubt and big time exposure to the internet as well as being recognized once in awhile with a shiny gold star or featured on http://www.localism.com/
- But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. The world is often unkind to new talents - new creations. The new needs friends. I was welcomed with open arms from near the beginning of becoming a member. There were less than 19k members (I should have checked....BOB? Can you check for me? I keep wanting to know and keep forgetting to ask) I may not have been a newbie to blogging but I sure learned quickly. How? Giving support to the next person and the next person. Okay, now this place is huge but everyone has a hand in new ones coming aboard while supporting the old ones as well.
- Last night, I experienced something new, an extraordinary meal from a singularly unexpected source. To say that both the meal and its maker have challenged my preconceptions about fine cooking is a gross understatement. They have rocked me to my core. Just as Active Rain and the undying support of some of our members give. I really value the friendships I have made along the way and believe me...it's those people who make up this Active Rain Community who rock my world and astound me with their writing.
- In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for Chef Gusteau's famous motto: Anyone can cook. But I realize only now do I truly understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere. It is difficult to imagine more humble origins than those of the genius now cooking at Gusteau's, who is, in this critic's opinion, nothing less than the finest chef in France. I will be returning to Gusteau's soon, hungry for more. Anyone can blog. Not everyone can become the great all mighty blogger but a great blogger can come from anywhere. We have an astounding amount of writers here. I don't care how long anyone has been in the Real Estate Industry or has been blogging. Botttom line. It will always be quality....not quantity ...that in my eyes are the true artists in life.
The lesson is this (remember I am critiquing this movie as well) as seen in my eyes. Ego is the false self and craves attention and needs more and more and more to fill the center of self where Ego consumes. Funny though, when confronted with a revelation of sorts (the great cook in the story was a rat...yes, a rat) we turn our opinions and negative criticism around and find a positive outlook. Then, and only then does our whole persepective of life, on business and even writing or socializing with our peers on Active Rain change. What a concept. There are learning lessons every day. I AM a success in one more lesson learned.
Giving support can be the biggest gift I can give to someone and it is also a start to ego "finding the real truth at the center of self".
;)
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WooHoo, This post is really putting a strain on my Brian this morning. But I like a lot!!! You made so many good points I truly don't know what to add so will just say ditto.
I do however want to say I feel the same way about "kiddie" movies. My all time favorite movie is Shrek. I've seen it about 20 times and love it every time I watch it. I also LOVE watching these movies with the grand kids. When your time comes for that you are going to be slobbering all over the place:)