Judging Others

Judging Others To acknowledge that we have judged and why, is the first step to a path of compassion. Though it is human to evaluate people we encounter based on first impressions, the conclusions we come to are seldom unaffected by our own fears and our own preconceptions. Additionally, our judgments are frequently incomplete. For example, wealth can seem like proof that an individual is spoiled, and poverty can be seen as a signifier of laziness -- neither of which may be true. At the heart of the tendency to categorize and criticize, we often find insecurity. Overcoming our need to set ourselves apart from what we fear is a matter of understanding the root of judgment and then reaffirming our commitment to tolerance. When we catch ourselves thinking or behaving judgmentally, we should ask ourselves where these judgments come from. Traits we hope we do not possess can instigate our criticism when we see them in others because passing judgment distances us from those traits. Once we regain our center, we can reinforce our open-mindedness by putting our feelings into words. To acknowledge to ourselves that we have judged, and that we have identified the root of our judgments, is the first step to a path of compassion. Recognizing that we limit our awareness by assessing others critically can make moving past our initial impressions much easier. Judgments seldom leave room for alternate possibilities. Mother Teresa said, "If you judge people, you don't have time to love them." If we are quick to pass judgment on others, we forget that they, like us, are human beings. As we seldom know what roads people have traveled before a shared encounter or why they have come into our lives, we should always give those we meet the gift of an open heart. Doing so allows us to replace fear-based criticism with appreciation because we can then focus wholeheartedly on the spark of good that burns in all human souls. [PRINT]( [SAVE]( [DISCUSS]( --------------------------------------------------------------- DailyOM Course Spotlight [Overcoming Creative Anxiety]( by Eric Maisel Anxiety is the number one challenge that creative people all over the world face, and yet, few know that there are simple ways to combat this common angst. With this 16-lesson course from America's foremost creativity coach, Dr. Eric Maisel, you'll unravel the root causes of your anxiety, and will receive proven coping mechanisms to help ensure that every creative journey is a fulfilling experience. You'll learn how to start and complete projects without overwhelm, master the do's and don'ts, and be provided with stress management techniques that have helped thousands of artists excel. By the end, you'll have all the tools you need to live the rewarding, creative-fueled life you love. [Learn More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Top 10 DailyOM Courses 1. [Shedding Your Menopausal Middle in 10 Days]( 2. [Toned Inner Thighs in 13 Days]( 3. [Overcoming Creative Anxiety]( 4. [The 2 Week Fascia Miracle]( 5. [Go Sleeveless in 14 Days]( 6. [4 Minute Metabolism Booster]( 7. [Strengthening Your Pelvic Floor]( 8. [Non-Surgical Facelift]( 9. [Pelvis Reset for Lower Back Pain]( 10. [Anti-Aging Face Yoga]( New Courses • [Cardio Dance for Healthy Hips]( • [Strengthening Your Pelvic Floor]( • [The Ultimate Feminine Power Program]( > [More Courses]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Home]( | [Inspiration]( | [Courses]( | [Horoscopes]( | [Gift Shop]() [Email Settings]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Help/FAQ]( © 2019 DailyOM - All Rights Reserved No portion of this site can be reprinted without express permission. Subscribed as {NAME}[at]gmail.com (1276706) [1]