Judging again

I find it interesting my thoughts have been centered around feeling judged and also not trying to judge others. Why do I find this interesting? Because as I look back at my blog posts, I see I wrote about the topic of judging last February. Maybe February should be known as “Freedom From Judging” month?!

New people, new situations

Recently my husband and I moved to a new area. We know one couple living here. This couple has been great at introducing us to their friends. Everyone has been kind to us. That said, I cannot help but feel they are “sizing me up”, seeing how or if I fit in.

Thankfully, I have seen some growth in myself since last year. Last year, I might have felt insecure about this. My insecurity stemming from trying to please others, I would have spent time worrying about what they thought about me. Instead, my thoughts focused on being myself, extending kindness. They could like me for me, or not. I did not care. I did care that I remain kind regardless. Ironically, I had to intentionally think about not judging them.

As humans, we find it so easy to judge people and situations. As recent as this morning, I caught myself judging. I went to a yoga class at the YMCA. The teacher was new to me. She approached the class differently than the other classes I had taken there. After talking about a breathing technique, she went right into poses. There was no “gentle” transition between poses. Because I found myself out of my comfort zone, I found myself judging her.

Aware that I was indeed judging her, I decided to focus intently on my breath and her instruction. Determined not to let my judgment ruin the class for me, I released the judgement. I embraced her style. By the end of the class, my body and mind felt relaxed and open.

Judging is a choice

I tell you this story because I had a choice. I could choose to spend my efforts judging her teaching style, grumbling in the process. Or, I could choose to consciously make an effort to not judge her. After all, I am no Yoga expert, who I am to tell her how to teach a class? Thankfully, I chose the latter and left the class feeling amazing.

I am sure all of us face situations like this. We feel uncomfortable, so we judge. Insecurity gets the best of us so we judge ourselves, we judge others. Something another person does bothers or annoys us, so we feel justified to judge them.

Looking in a mirror

Avant-garde author Anais Nin said: “”We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” When you find yourself judging an uncomfortable situation or a person that annoys you, do you stop to look inside yourself? Is it possible the situation or person triggered something about yourself you dislike? You dislike what you see in the mirror of the other person, situation reflecting back at you?

Heart posture

When you meet someone new, or find yourself in a new situation, what is your heart posture? Do you walk in with preconceived notions and expectations? Or do you walk in with a sense of wonder and curiosity, setting aside judgement?

Prayer

Lord, help me to see any logs in my eyes, any preconceived judgements about people, places, situations. I am sorry for these judgements and ask for your help in releasing them. Cleanse my eyes to see how You see. Matthew 7:3-5, Psalm 148:8