Sometimes when I have a new manuscript critiqued, I envision myself pushing a boulder up a hill. Making headway depends upon my attitude more than what others say.
If I don’t bring humility, open to revision suggestions, defensiveness can make me let go of the boulder. It squashes me like Wile E. Coyote and I lift my head only to watch my boulder roll back down the hill. Smoke trails out my ears as I stomp down to push again — by myself. Sometimes I even curse the boulder and threaten to leave it — which is a good idea when my attitude is bad.
If I go to a critique session ready to accept the gifts of advice and encouragement, other hands help me push. It becomes a community project. Humility begets progress — sometimes inches — sometimes miles — but the boulder keeps moving upward. The journey grows sweeter and the view looks better when shared with friends.
Whatever boulder you’re pushing — don’t try going it alone. It’s lonely in the valley — not to mention, exhausting.
Self-pity is the response of pride to suffering. ~ John Piper