“There has never been set up a statue in honor of a critic” — attributed to Jean Sibelius, composer.

If ever there was a trap to make us dumber and take our energy it is criticizing the work of others — so easy, and so tempting in this age of social media. (Haven’t we all, at some time, posted some pointless comment that contributed nothing but stole our valuable time? Time, after all, that we could have been creating something ourselves? )

No judgment. In some cases, it’s because people have become lost. They can’t quite express what they want to through their art, their discipline, their field, their life. They can’t quite move to the next level. It’s easier to criticize others than to really look at what’s wrong within our lives or ourselves, to become unstuck.

Criticizing or creating. That is really the choice we all have today.

The energy wasted on the former could be put toward the latter.

Turn negativity around. See something that makes you angry on social media? Ignore it. Move on. Give up the cheap high, the cheap release, the addiction, of responding.

Instead, use that time to do something positive for yourself or for someone else. Work out. Get fitter. Cook a meal. Go for a walk. Meet a friend or family member. Meditate. Read. Look at a beautiful work of art. Clean up. Organize your bookshelves. Draw. Paint. Write.

Critics are forgotten.

Create, and be remembered for doing something that elevated both you and others.