So, which one are you?
When the other person takes a long time, they’re slow. When I take a long time, I’m thorough.
When the other person doesn’t do it, they’re lazy. But when I don’t do it, I’m busy.
When the other person does something without being told, they’re overstepping their bounds. But when I do it, that’s initiative.
When other people act entitled, they’re spoiled. When I am entitled, it’s because I am deserving.
When the other person overlooks a rule of etiquette, they’re rude. But when I skip a few rules, I’m original.
When the other person pleases the boss, they’re an apple-polisher. But when I please the boss, that’s cooperation.
When the other person won’t give up, they’re pushy. But when I keep at it, I’m just assertive.
Inspired by an antique pamphlet “American Salesman“
When other people are judgmental, I am exercising discernment.
(Oops…was that possibly judgmental of me?)
I know we need to have and use:
- our reasoning skills,
- our ability to evaluate what seems to be good or bad for us, and
- our intuition for guidance.
But…we don’t have to judge others. After all, we haven’t walked in their shoes. We don’t know what burdens they may be carrying.
So…any judgments you want to set aside?
Maybe of others in your family? at work? in politics?
I know I need to work on my judgments regarding politics, the media, the government!
7 Comments
Too true! The more we know others, the more we understand them. We’re often less likely to judge others when we can see things from their perspective. When we don’t see eye to eye it’s still important to be calm and respectful. We’re all God’s children after all.
Dee Dee, We can understand that judging others interfers with our knowing that,just like us, they are doing the best they can with what they know at the moment.
My kids are stubborn but I’m tenacious!
Mary Kay, I too am tenacious, rather than stubborn!
When others are jumping to conclusions,I am sedately following logical thinking.
My Mom used to say, he doesn’t know what’s good for him. I have learned that he (me, too, I suppose) knows exactly what’s good for him. When he gets around to seeing his good, he’ll do it, on his time, not mine.
Another good post, Pat! All of this “speaks” so much about human nature. Since most of us are human (Be careful, Pat! I am just guessing what you might be thinking.), we need to guard against being judgmental. I must admit that was difficult for me in my younger years. All of that without even owning a gavel. So I have been trying to retire from my self-assigned judge position.
Russ, I think that it’s ‘human nature’ to want to organize and understand our environment and the folks in it, thus often resulting in judgment. It helps me to remember that everyone is doing/did the best they knew how with what they know/knew at the time. So often our judgments are off-base!