I take things personally. Any comments pertaining to me – personally. Praise or constructive criticism – personally. I cannot separate what I do from who I am. Is this a fault? Yes. Is it a strength? Yes.

The fault: negative reactions that are born out of this integration. If someone offers me a critique about something I am responsible for I get defensive, because my output, in my mind, is tied to who I am.

The strength: I give much attention and effort to the things I do, because they reflect who I am.

Either way I want to be able to listen and hear people without getting defensive. It is not easy for me. I don’t want others who have experienced my defensiveness to think I don’t want there feedback. I do. It’s just hard for me to process in the moment. I pray God continually diminish the pride I can hold so dear.