I've honestly gotten sick of judgments. Wondering what I mean by that? Let me give you a few examples:
"She's so popular" "He's a nerd" "She's a goody-goody" "He's a teacher's pet" "She's too cool for me" "He thinks I'm a loser" "She's a jock" "He's annoying" "She probably eats whatever she wants and STILL looks like that" "She's an overachiever" "He's an underachiever" "She probably gets bad grades" "He looks like a punk" "She thinks she's all that", etc, etc.
How many judgments do you use everyday, without even giving it a second thought? I'll be honest - I'm bad at this too!
But something I've realized lately, is that quite honestly, we judge a whole lot more than we think. Really, it's something we can ALL work on, whether we know it or not. Here's what got me thinking about this whole topic:
Years ago, I switched schools. I just HAD to make a good impression on everyone at this new school. So I faked a smile everyday no matter how I felt (don't do that... it's not good), pretended I wasn't insecure, and I got to know TONS of people in all my new classes. Sometimes I would reach out to those people I thought were "the ones left out" or the ones "not included" or "the shy ones" or mostly "the ones that weren't majorly popular". What I didn't know, was that I was judging them. I was putting a label on them: thinking they were a way that they weren't. That's not who they really are. They aren't "the one left out" to God, so why are they that way to me? To Him, they're His children. Why can't I think of everyone as my own brothers and sisters? Living in the same world I am, equal as I am. A child of God.
After I got to know all these people, I realized, "Man. These people are just like me, they are such fun, amazing people!!!! I wish others knew how amazing they are!!"
After that experience, I realized something else: I was also judging all the "populars".
I was judging them, because I thought that they were judging me. I thought that they thought I wasn't good enough, or beautiful enough, or matched their level. I just "assumed" that they were mean, popular, cool, got bad grades and careless.
I was SO wrong!!!
So I did an experiment. I started talking to people that I had judged, people I had thought were the "populars". Guess what? I had been the one judging them. They hadn't been judging me. I made some really good friends, and you know what? I got to know them, and found out that they are a lot like me. We were really similar! We had the same beliefs, interests, or talents. They were awesome, fun people! I felt awful that I had judged them, and had held myself back from getting to know some amazing children of God.
Why don't we understand that we are all equals, and we are all children of our Heavenly Father? Why doesn't it go through our minds all the time that everyone around us has a story, a life, a family, a past, a future, and their own present thoughts and talents?
I wish that every single one of us could understand and know that judging others is something that everyone needs to work on. I can't say it enough, judging others holds us back from meeting amazing people, having better friendships, learning new things, hearing different and unique opinions, and understanding that we are not the only people on earth. Everyone has a different point of view, a different outlook, a different perspective.
Wouldn't it be amazing to look through someone else's eyes, just for a moment, and see what they see in the world? I think it would be humbling, and quite fascinating.
When I tell people that I'm really anxious and really insecure (well... used to be insecure), they don't believe me. I've learned that what people see on the outside, is very different from what's on the inside.
Here's an example:
I know this one person. This person has a lot of friends, and is very very attractive. On the outside, they seem very cool, smart, talented, and like they don't have a care in the world. They're super nice, very sweet, and thoughtful. When I got to know them better, this person was extremely insecure. They were having a super hard time, and felt alone.
So that person that you think is so "popular" or, so "careless"? They might be the most insecure person you've ever met. They might have bad anxiety, or worry about a lot of things. We all have our flaws, and you never know the full story. You never know what's going through someone's mind.
I'm going to really try and get to know everyone and anyone around me. You should too! I think it would bless all of our lives.
I think we'd really start living if we stop judging. We'd get to know so many people. So lets stop.
Stop the judging.
That would help stop the gossip.
That would help stop insecurity and arguments.
It would help the world get better. :)
Love everyone like the child of God they are.
Have an amazing day!
-Molly
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