Internal Response

I need to work on my internal responses to criticism. Sunday evening during youth chorus practice we were trying "And the Glory of the Lord" from Handel's Messiah. I have sung along with a CD of it numerous times, but was not getting the third soprano run. Apparently the other sopranos weren't either, and help was supplied by our director. Obviously, it was right of him to correct us because we were off key, but inwardly I resented it.

I should be more emotionally resigned to the facts that I cannot read music quickly and accurately nor excel in volleyball nor play the piano with expertise. It should not be necessary to me to be better than/as good as everyone else. Part of pride is feeling that I am better than others - probably another part is feeling that I deserve to be better even if I am not. Both aspects are focused on me more than on God and others.*

(Of course, I should not diminish my efforts to improve. When poor performance results from lack of concentration and diligence (which was probably the case to some extent Sunday night), I should be chagrined and resolve to do better.)

* One or more of the thoughts are a twist on something I heard elsewhere.