Judging Others Is Judging Yourself

If we don’t want others to do the same with us, we shouldn’t judge them without knowing their life first. Prejudice can sometimes prevent us from discovering wonderful people because we stop at appearances.

Judging others is fashionable sport. However, the one who judges does not define the person being judged, he defines himself. In a way, though, it’s something we all do unconsciously.

We make judgments about everything around us because we thus maintain a certain control by classifying things according to preconceived labels.

“It’s good, it’s bad, I don’t trust this person, better that I move away from such …”

It is very common to fall into stereotypes and pre-established ideas. However, it is more difficult to dig a little deeper and make the effort to put yourself in the other’s shoes.

It is clear that not everyone acts this way. However, some people avoid judging right away because they don’t like to be judged by others. This is certainly what everyone should put into practice to build a more harmonious and tolerant society.

We invite you to think about it in this article.

Judge, a double-edged sword that we shouldn’t use

Just for today, don’t judge. Just today, let your gaze listen to the world calmly and without prejudice. Be content with “being” and “letting be”.

It would, without a doubt, be very good if we all tried to practice this simple advice every day. Thus, our relations would be more respectful and much less conflict would be provoked.

The main problem now is that our social brain is often ruled by the need to get information about things and people very quickly.

Put all the information and stimuli into categories and you can find out what type of personality you have based on your past experiences.

Let’s take an example. When you went to school, there was a teacher who treated you badly and made your school years a living hell. Today you still remember his face and his expressions. Therefore, when you meet someone who looks like them, you are projecting a strong rejection on that person.

Many of our past experiences, and even certain aspects of our personality, cause us to label those around us according to preconceived patterns that are not always relevant to reality.

The act of “not judging”, of getting closer to people without passing judgment, requires above all to be calm.

This forces us to control the “auto button” in our brain which tends to judge and categorize everything we see.

Be smart: if you judge, you also judge yourself

In fact, your judgment defines you. For example, if you avoid having ties to your neighbors because they are from a different culture, that defines you as a closed-minded racist person.

The man who judges a woman by the length of her skirt also judges himself as a chauvinist.

When we pass judgment on someone, it is good to practice a reflection exercise. Why am I thinking this? Why do I think, for example, that I’m not going to get along with this boy because he wears ripped pants and has tattoos?

Be wise, act with calm, moderation and balance, and try to see things in a neutral way. Tell yourself that you don’t know the details that would allow you to judge more objectively.

Do not rely on trivialities when judging, rely on realities

It is important to qualify things. We obviously have the right to maintain and defend our own judgments about what surrounds us. However, judgments must be based on realities, never on stereotypes or banalities.

Here are some avenues for reflection in this direction:

• When you get to know a person in depth, you will have the knowledge that will allow you to decide whether or not you like them, whether or not they meet your expectations.
• You should know that who is based only on banalities when judging misses the best things in life.
• If you judge your colleague negatively just because of their style, you may be missing out on the opportunity to know someone exceptional.
• We often hear people say “this country is dirty, dangerous or not very modern”. They may be missing out on the best experience of their lives. They refuse to know a place that can be incredible if you have an open mind and without prejudice.

The best things, the best people, sometimes hide behind thick shells that you don’t see at first glance.

Only those who approach without judging with an open heart will be worthy of knowing the wonderful things around us.