Usually when I read articles or listen to people rant on and on about how they hate to be judged, I sort of brush it off of my shoulders. I would usually categorize these bitter individuals as the ones in the wrong. I would think, “well obviously if they are so adamant about avoiding judgement, they must be the ones doing something wrong, right?” Wrong.
Not until the end of high school approaching college did I start to feel like the one being put in the hot seat. I started to feel judgement and for pointless reasons at that. People love to point out others' flaws just to diminish their own. It’s so easy too. All you have to do is find something different about someone else, and then you make it into some sort of mockery or joke. Even if it’s something beautiful or courageous or incredible that you have about yourself, someone can always morph that into something negative.
Why?
Because they just cannot see the beauty in themselves. Picking apart others lifts them up. Just like a middle school bully or a Taylor Swift song talking about the mean kid on the playground.
So, instead of ripping each other apart, it would be so much easier if we were loving and accepting.
Someone dresses different than you? That’s awesome — they’re expressing their style.
Someone looks different than you? I bet their parents are beautiful and they inherited unique traits.
Someone acts differently than you? That’s so cool because nobody needs 7 billion of you or I in this world.
People are meant to be different. People are meant to be unique. People are beautiful within these differences. Who you are judging could judge you just as harshly for not being like them. So in actuality, does it make sense for you to dig your claws into their self-esteem when they could just as easily do the same to you?
I’ve learned since experiencing judgement that I’ve participated too. From not befriending someone because they’re different from me to thinking in my head about how stupid others decisions are, I’ve been there too. But here’s some food for thought:
You are not and you will not ever be perfect. You are not God, and you will never be God. You are not the sun, should not be worshiped, and you will not be worshiped.
Why?
Because everyone in this world is just as imperfect as you.
I tell myself these words quite often in order to remember that I cannot with any logic look at another human being and think to myself: “I am better. He/she is wrong/stupid/weird.”
You are so special and incredible in your own way. You are breathtaking, majestic and the floor smiles when your feet brush up against it. The room stops and stares at you as you walk in because it becomes awestruck.
But, as much as you are this incredible, so is the next guy. We all are. God created us into these amazing humans. So we should appreciate each and every creation.
It’s hard at first, yes. But eventually you learn that loving people is really the way to go. Everyone has something fun, cool and intriguing about their personality and character. All you have to do is set aside this contorted, “judgey” view you have of all humans and appreciate their uniqueness.
Then, before you know it, they will start to do the same to you.
As my Dad always says, “kill ‘em with kindness.” In a world of "Judge-Judy's," be a "Kind-Kimberly."
Do not be the one to throw the first stone.
It will create a ripple effect. It will change you. And it will change others.
