“Don’t pay any attention to the critics — don’t even ignore them.”

– Samuel Goldwyn

I’ve always loved the quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson where he warns that no matter what direction we choose to go there will always be critics who will tell us we are wrong:

“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.”

It does take courage to march to your own drumbeat and find that your steps are out of sync with the mainstream of society; but without the kind of people who are willing to risk blazing new trails, our world would remain very routine and very small.  I was delighted to find Samuel Goldwyn’s words, because they elevate Emerson’s idea to a new level and raise my awareness.  I have to wonder whether the movie mogul from MGM considered when he spoke that he was sharing something profound.

Like Emerson, Goldwyn knew that there was no way to make a fresh mark on the world if you allowed critics to distract or dissuade you from your goals.  When he adds “don’t even ignore them” to his advice, he really captures my attention.  Don’t even ignore them.  How often do we invest all kinds of time and energy that we could use to pursue a goal in looking over our shoulders and purposely choosing not to do things the way another person is doing them?  Why is it that we need to compare our own choice with another one that we have decided is wrong?  Where is the courage in needing a backdrop of something worse in order to prove that what we are doing is better?

How often do we point out someone else’s mistakes in order to convince ourselves that we are on the right track — simply because we recognize that one mistake and have decided not to make it again?  It takes real courage and incredible focus to plot a new path and stay with it.  Critics will always abound along the way and be more than happy to point out our mistakes.  What is important is that we see our own mistakes — and we will make them — and use them as opportunities for learning that drive us forward with clearer vision toward the goal we have set.  Let us have the courage to combine our dreams with action and walk the path that leads to their fulfillment.  Let us have the courage to be our own honest critics and accept our mistakes before another person feels the need to show us where we have erred.  If I need to ignore you, then I still am giving you my attention — and that attention belongs on my own task, not yours.

To blaze new trails and walk in courage requires that we follow our hearts, follow our dreams, and listen to the drumbeat that keeps us walking.