“If her past were your past, her pain your pain, her level of consciousness your level of consciousness, you would think and act exactly as she does. With this realization comes forgiveness, compassion, peace.” — Eckert Tolle

Lately it has been in my heart to talk about the term JUDGMENTAL. The dictionary defines judgmental as: involving the use of or exercise of judgment; tending to make moral judgments; of denoting an attitude in which judgments’ about other’s conduct are made of.

Now before I get further into this article I would like to say that as humans we all make judgments, good and bad. Judgments can sometimes help us to tune into our instincts and can save us from being at the wrong place, or interacting with the wrong person.  I don’t claim to be a non judgmental person and I have my moments where I put my value system on others, but as I grow I am striving to be less critical of others.  On a daily basis I see and hear folks talk  daily who don’t realize how judgmental they are being.

Let me go more into detail….when I say judgmental I mean that critical, I am better type judgment…That “why is he doing that for a living” or “why would she be with him” or “he needs to ..”, or “I would never do that…”, or “I don’t think they need to be together”…You get my drift. What I have learned is that judgments are often based on a lack of understanding, empathy.  It always strikes me when someone criticizes someone for something that they have done or are doing themselves.

We spend so much time looking at how others choose to live their lives that we often forget that once upon a time we wore the same shoes.  When we criticize others, we are often showing a part of ourselves that is lacking compassion.  Judging also helps us to feel better about ourselves because in some capacity when we judge we are stating that we are somehow placed on a higher level than others.  So I write this post to not only put myself on notice, but those who happen to read this blog to perhaps take a look at themselves and make a concerted effort to be more aware of our judgments about others.  Some things we can do to stop being judgmental:

1. Be more aware of your thoughts.

2. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes.

3. Remember how you were prior to yourself growth.

4. Practice being compassionate, accepting and understanding.

5. Remind yourself that you don’t know it all

6. Whenever possible, practice love

So the next time, you are in a position to make a judgment or criticize someone because they don’t look, act, think or behave like you, consider changing your thoughts and maybe even saying a prayer for that person. I know I will, and if I don’t I invite those in my life to check me on it.

1 Corinthians 4:1-21 Whenever we judge others we are exalting ourselves into a position reserved only for Jesus Christ. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, and only He knows the rest of the story of any person’s life. Paul says he cannot without flaw even judge himself. Paul clearly states that the One who judges him is the Lord.