Perhaps one of the beautiful things about human life is coming together. Being part of a group where people understand what you’re saying, share your perspective and have similar beliefs. Not because you need their approval, but simply because you enjoy having meaningful conversations and spending time together. Being criticized can actually be very helpful, as long as it doesn’t come from competition, jealousy, or other negative feelings. Criticism can help you recognize your own shortcomings. Some people know how to criticize in a very respectful way. They don’t care about your appearance, your size, or your color. They don’t try to make you feel small through their criticism. On the other hand, constant approval can also have harmful effects. Being approved of all the time doesn’t necessarily help you. It doesn’t allow much room for growth. It’s true that growth comes with pain, but that pain can help you become a better person, become more capable, and be more useful within the small community you’ve built around yourself. People don’t necessarily have to think about helping others on a global scale or making a difference across an entire country. Of course, if you can do that, it’s wonderful. But even small circles of friends, family, or any group of people you feel good being around can make a difference. When you look at these small circles on a larger scale, you realize how influential they can become. These small networks of people helping each other grow can eventually create a meaningful impact around the world. A movement of more aware and conscious people. That’s why seeking approval isn’t always a good thing. Someone might be flattering you. Someone else might have something to gain from praising you, or might simply want to use you for their own benefit. I think the real art is not getting upset when you’re criticized, and not becoming overly happy when you’re praised. The art is in finding balance. It’s not about surrounding yourself with people who approve of everything you do, from morning until night, whether because of your social status, your financial position, or anything else they consider important about you. The point is that when you receive hate, you shouldn’t immediately react. Take a moment to think. Maybe some of that criticism is valid. Hate isn’t always bad in itself, unless it comes with mockery, insults, and abusive language intended to destroy you. But criticism, even when it comes in the form of hate, can sometimes be constructive. When you hear the same thing from several people, you should keep your ears open and your heart open. Think about the possibility that the other person might be right. I genuinely believe that balance is something we’ve lost. People today are increasingly looking for spaces where they’ll only be approved of. They have a hard time accepting opposing opinions. Sometimes they even think that because they’re successful, they naturally receive more criticism and hate. And maybe that’s true. This brings me back to the same issue I mentioned about social media. We still haven’t developed a proper culture around it. People can dislike a celebrity’s performance in a movie and instead of criticizing the acting, they attack the person’s appearance or say all kinds of hurtful things. We’ve become very black and white in the way we see people and situations. But if you want to have a meaningful life, you can’t always see everything as either black or white. Sometimes good isn’t entirely white, and bad isn’t entirely black. You need to consider the time, place, and circumstances in which something happens. Maybe someone tells you today that your closest friend isn’t a good person. Instead of immediately becoming defensive, I think you should try to see the world from that other person’s perspective. This helps you avoid seeing everything in black and white. Or imagine someone who has hurt many other people but hasn’t hurt you personally. You should consider that, too. Maybe you can help that person become better. You don’t necessarily have to close every door. Things like blocking, reporting, and cancel culture can have a significant impact on the mental and emotional well-being of the person on the receiving end. A single hateful comment can push someone to the point of suicide. That’s why we need to choose our words very carefully and maintain balance in our lives, in our personal relationships, and in the way we treat others. We need to consider every situation within its own context. If someone points out a flaw or criticizes you, don’t immediately become defensive and assume they have something personal against you. And if someone constantly praises you, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should always want to spend time with them. If we’re not willing to grow and expand our awareness, then what’s the point of being human? Why were we given this brain, something other animals don’t have in the same way? We were given the ability to use it. To use our conscience. To distinguish right from wrong, truth from lies, through the abilities we’ve been given: perception, reason, and knowledge. ⸻ About the Artwork & Creation Process The original photograph for this artwork was taken by Nastaran Najafi in Bushehr, southern Iran, in 2021. The figures were painted by Nastaran Taghdimi using the Japanese Sumi-e painting technique. Artists: Nastaran Najafi & Nastaran Taghdimi Photography: Nastaran Najafi Painting: Nastaran Taghdimi — Sumi-e technique GIF Animation: AI-generated Format: GIF Dimensions: 1536 × 1024 pixels