Learning Silence

Lately I've been acknowledging and thinking upon how I'm not always graceful in the face of criticism. It harkens me back to days as a child when other kids, or my same-aged cousin would unfairly tease me or lie about me.  I can see how it can make others crazy when anything you say to them that is remotely negative is fired back with a defense mechanism.  However, I always seem to get hooked when I feel unjustly treated.

How do I go about identifying what's a warranted response versus a time when I just need to suck up that I was wrong or my reasoning simply doesn't need to be heard?  I'm not sure about this yet.  I'm sure I'll laugh about this question one day, but right now I don't know the answer. I think it confuses me because of lack of practice anything but my age-old defense process. Inside of not knowing anything else, I'm committing myself to practicing silence in the face of criticism (or perceived criticism, in cases where none exists).  The silence will allow me space to collect reality, move through uncomfortable emotions, and respond appropriately instead of reacting.  In many cases, I think I will realize that just because it makes me uncomfortable to be wrong -- or misunderstood, doesn't mean it deserves the boxing gloves.  I'm trusting that the silence can give me this wisdom I seek.