TRUTH... Are We So Judgmental

Judging others is a natural instinct, and we are all a little judgmental at times. For the most part, we are doing so for our own survival. We want to surround ourselves with people whom we can trust because it makes us feel safe and secure. We push away those we deem untrustworthy because we fear they may harm us.

But the world seems to have gotten much more judgmental lately. It feels like you can't even make a mistake anymore without being ripped apart and canceled.

We see it all the time when someone makes a mistake in a tweet, or a company sends an email with what some deem a poor choice of words. Words, of course, have power but people should not fear saying just the right thing every time or we will cease to say anything.

People get SO ANGRY over mistakes. We all make mistakes, and they are rarely fatal. So why is there so much judgment?

Is this really the world we're creating? One where we instantly assume negative intent or hold people to impossibly high standards that no one could meet 100% of the time? Communication can be faster today than anyone can respond.

I guess if these angry people are perfect and have never made a mistake themselves, I could maybe give them a pass. They should not be judged as they judge others. But we all know that's not the case. Remember the old saying about glass houses?

It seems that people insist on finding things to be angry about. It's like they WANT to be angry. Why would anyone want to be angry all the time? What is the fun in that? Anger is not healthy. Anger is stressful.

Judgmental attitudes spring from too much social media in our lives. It has become so easy to lash out at others while staying anonymous. You can hide in the shadows of the web.

There is also an element of entitlement and a resulting frustration that produces certain judgements of others. When expectations are not met anger is often produced and people lash out with negative responses toward others.

People may also project their own insecurities on others through judgmental attitudes. It may even be an expected position based on a person's heritage or upbringing.

Being offended does not change anything. Getting angry does not change anything. Choosing to let these emotions affect you only hurts you.

Judgement does not have to happen. If you really want to make the world a better place, here are some places to start:

1.       Always assume positive intent. Most people have good intentions, whether we know their intentions or not. When you always assume positive intent, you start with compassion. Compassion leads to forgiveness.

2.       Choose to focus on bettering your own self instead of judging others and throwing hate and anger around. Most judgment comes from our own insecurities. So why not put the focus back on your own challenges and work on those? You'll find that you don't have time to judge other people when you're focused on improving yourself. And you just may become a better person for it.

3.       Choose love. Always choose love. It feels so much better and brings so much more happiness. If you can't do it for others, do it for yourself.

4. Pay Attention to Your Thoughts The first step to being less judgmental is to recognize that you’re doing it.

5. Question Your Assumptions If you have a negative view of someone, ask yourself what it’s based on. What are the characteristics that annoy you and why?

6. Be Empathetic and more understanding about why people are as they are. What helped to create who they are today? Try "walking in their shoes" and seeing things from their perspective.

7. Expand Your Horizons by viewing other cultures, ways of life, lifestyles and challenges. Do not rush to judgement until you have had the opportunity to see things the way others see them.

We're all human. We all make mistakes. Let's choose to make the world a better place by putting an end to all the judgment and hate and replacing them with compassion and love. Race, ethnic background, religions, or anything else that tend to separate us, or cause judgement is just wrong and should not be tolerated. Work to find the ways we are all the same.