I hate critics. 

"Hate" may sound like a strong word, and I know that I'll get some people slapping me for it, but it's true. 

With just a few words, a critic can cause someone to retreat backwards and not do what they really want to do.

The critic is usually pissed off at his life, and not wanting to see anyone else succeed (they remind him of his failures).  

If a critic holds you back or causes you to quit, it's not just YOU that suffers ...

If you wanted to do big things that would have had an impact on people, then a lot of others suffer too. 

All because of one critic.  A Negative Nelly spoils the party. 

It's one thing if your critic is a stranger on a keyboard in his parent's basement 500 miles away.  

In that case it might sting for awhile, but you shake it off and go about your day - and the troll goes along with his, whatever he does in his cave 24/7 (anything except working on worthwhile goals). 

But when the critics are closer to you, that's a different story. 

Not counting the person in the mirror, those closest to you can do the most damage. 

Spouses/partners, parents, siblings, best friends, co-workers ... those that you interact with on a daily basis have the most potential to hurt you with their negativity. 

I remember reading an old Superboy comic from when I was a kid ...

On the cover, Superboy is trying to fly away into the sky, probably to go save the earth from an alien enemy (I can't remember exactly, since it's been 30-some years since I read it and I was just a wee pup). 

But his parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent (or "Ma" and "Pa", as they're called) are on the ground, pulling on his cape and pleading with him not to go. 

They're trying to keep Superboy from doing his thing and saving the world. 

Like Ma and Pa Kent, your loved ones may think they have your best interests at heart.  They may be trying to talk you out of your business because they don't want you to fail and be hurt.  Maybe they don't realize how important this dream is to you. 

Regardless of their motives, you have to push ahead.  

Let 'em know that you aren't quitting, and that negative talk and worrying isn't helping you. 

You're going to make it happen - with or without their support. 

So let go of my cape and let me fly. 

If you need a true supporter, I'll be in your corner: 

Marc