Growing up playing soccer, I loved playing defense. Finding unique ways of keeping the other team from scoring was good fun. As a student driver, I embraced the concept of defensive driving. Each time out on the road was an opportunity to practice being alert and aware of my fellow drivers. And as I’ve studied Christian Science, I’ve learned the importance of defending my thought from anything that doesn’t align with God.
So when a friend pointed out that I tended to get defensive in the face of criticism, I was pretty surprised. After all, defense is a good thing, right?
We were driving to a place neither of us knew well, and I was in charge of navigating. I had just given a vague instruction that forced my friend to do a last-minute maneuver in order to stay on the route. When he pointed out that there was room for improvement in my navigating skills, I responded with a plethora of terse excuses. It’s a new place. I can’t read your mind to know what you need. I didn’t see the turn coming. You’re not perfect at giving directions, either.
