Cruel Reality

There are times when I tend to forget that most people can't handle the harshness of criticism. For the past years, I admit that I haven't been so keen with criticism either; however, I learned to deal with it. That's how cruel real life can be.
It's a Harsh World.
It's not always all fun and games. Just like high school, not everyone is going to like you for what you have to offer. It's either give more or don't give anything at all.
My best advice is to just take everything in as something positive. If it feels too thick in negativity that it seems like you're drowning, then step away for a while. When handling the cruelty of reality, it's best to gather your thoughts while also keeping an open mind. That's how we grow into understanding life in various ways. The negative comments people, including friends, give off isn't to hurt you - though it may seem like it - but to grow from it.
No, people's harsh words hasn't always been kind but it has been beneficial for me. That's when I learned to stand up for my own and what I believe in while being open to the possibilities.
Once you learn how to take in what people say and convert it into something positive, then are you truly capable of fully grasping the complexity of life, the cruelty of the world, and the harshness of criticism.