I just try to make the best of everything. I can't control everything that happens, but I can do my best and accept the rest. I'm naturally a very rational person, and I always take a step back and analyize things objectively. (Which may only take 3 seconds.) I never let my impulses or emotions run rampant, and I don't even think I could if I wanted to.
That's just my logical reasoning. However, nothing is ever completely the same twice, so I can't know for sure how I will react. I just know that when I get there, I'll do my best. No need to worry about it ahead of time.
But, you know, I don't mean to make myself sound like a hero, nor do I mean to talk myself down. I admit that I could still use tons of improvement in this area.
Dealing with rejection and criticism is easier than setting yourself up to recieve it, I think. That reminds me of that podcast of Steve's about fear. It's not the rejection and criticism that are bad, it's just the fear of it. So, yes, it does stifle people, myself included. If I ever have an idea, I like to try it, no matter how strange it is. As long as I think it may be fun or benecifial in some way, I want to do it. However, I don't look forward to the reactions that I'm going to get from people while doing these things, so I often end up bailing out or putting it off. Sometimes I do strange things and look forward to reactions, though.
It all depends. But I do need more work on going ahead and doing what I want regardless of who's watching or listening, and I'd like to thank you for reminding me of it. This must be a sign.