Judgment is a noun, defined by the Oxford Dictionary as "the ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions."
Generally, as humans we are raised by parents who teach us to make good decisions and learn good judgment versus poor judgment. This is part of learning and the human experience.
Through that process of growing up, we learn a lot and what we learn turn into truths for how to live. A lot of people - I would guess almost every human - believes that their truth is THE truth.
This gets even stronger as you find tribes who agree with your truths, whether at church, among family, in school, at work, with friends or even more so, online.
What I have described above is human nature. We have to make decisions everyday, so it is one thing to make judgments and it is another to be judgmental.
As I look with curiosity at where we are at as a society, I see a lot of "judgmental" judgment. Humans judging other humans whether they know them or not. A LOT of people think they are right, which must mean everybody else is wrong.
Let's talk about the price of judgment. Everything is energy and what we think translates into what vibrations we put out to the world. It is said that what we think, we become.
Judgment is a low energy vibration. When you judge another, you are putting out low energy vibrations and therefore you are attracting low energy vibrations such as judgment, fear, anger, sadness, grief, and frustration.
Is that what you want to attract into your life?
I don't know anyone who does. Instead we judge others thinking it will somehow make us feel better about the stories we tell ourselves, when in actuality, it is in fact attracting more of the same back to you.
Next time you catch yourself judging, attempt to disassociate from yourself and become a curious observer. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- What am I feeling?
- Why did I have such a strong reaction to this?
- What is at the root of my feelings?
- How can I look at this differently?
- What do I know about this person that I like or appreciate?
- What could I ask to get to know them better and find what we have in common?
With some practice, you will catch yourself in judgment quite often at first. And that is okay. You cannot heal without recognizing a behavior of your own that is bringing you down. Give yourself grace and practice asking yourself the questions.
If more people practiced this, there would be more kindness in the world. Being kind is a high energy vibration. It makes you feel good and attracts more high energy vibrations like love, happiness, gratefulness and joy.
Every one of us are on our own unique journeys. What we are here to learn is different from everyone else. Judgment has you assuming that your lessons are the same as what others are here to learn, but that is not the case.
Let others have their journey. Share feedback in kind ways that allow them to learn and grow, too.
Kindness is free and it will leave you happier and more joyful.
I wish that for you.
How will you help yourself recognize when you are judging others?
