Being Judged

“It is well, when judging a friend, to remember that he is judging you with the same godlike and superior impartiality.” -Arnold Bennett

We do it nearly everyday. We either say it out loud or mumble it under our breath. We judge people by the way they look, talk or act. This judgement of others extends to the way they perform, where they live and even the way they believe. Judgement of others is our belief that the other person doesn't live up to our expectations.

There is such a thing as discernment, which means perceiving the way things are, period, no more, no less. Judgment on the other hand is something we add to discernment by making a comparison between how things or people are and how we believe they should be. With judgment there is an element of dissatisfaction. We are dissatisfied with the way things are and have a desire for things to be the way we want them to be.

What judgement does is reflect upon you. It mirrors only what and who you are, both good and bad. Speaking of mirrors, maybe we should look in that reflective way to see how others are judging us. In neither instance does judgement lift both people. Judgement tends to bring both people down and that isn't what you want in life.

Our judgement of others is superficial and does nothing to learn the real story. It could be a medical condition causing weight gain, or maybe finances means it is the only suit and tie that other person has. Judging does nothing to ease their suffering and it certainly doesn't ease yours.

We each have a story that is deeper than the surface. Judgement blocks our ability to know what that story is. What you want, what you need, in life is to lift others and be lifted yourself.

Try to take the rest of your day and try not to judge other people. For just one day see what a difference it can make. Get beyond judging others and get to know them. You may find your life expanding in ways that judgement would have kept you from. Be a greater person, have a greater life.

Never Judge, Learn More

There are those that go about life in such an un-assuming manner. They lead ordinary lives and at first glance, do not leave an immediate impression of any greatness. It is commonly referred to as 'judging a book by its cover'.

In life we miss so much by doing just that, judging someone by first looks. When we fail to look beyond the surface, we do not find that which lay within. The greatness of talent or the fullness of knowledge that such a person could impart to you goes unseen.

Take the story of Paul Potts from Britain, a person lacking self confidence and working in a cell phone store. But during all of this, many people were unaware of his singing talents until he auditioned for a TV program in Britain.

The following two videos will give you an excellent idea of what so many were missing by 'first look'.



And as you guessed it, the winner;