So many times, people judge others based on their own ideas and perspectives without considering how someone else might see it. This is unfortunate because it isolates us from the people we could know, befriend, even love. We let differences cloud our judgment and exclude a human more than worthy of friendship.
Think about it. When you see a strange group of people you've never met hanging out and maybe acting weird with each other, you might wrinkle your nose, shrug, stuff your hands in your pockets and continue walking. You might think how you don't understand why people just can't be normal. Why do they have to be so different?
You keep walking, silently judging this group of people you are probably stereotyping, and arrive at the bar you're suppose to meet your friends at. When you walk in the door, you're greeted by a silly rhyme your best friend came up with when you were both drunk last week. You laugh and your rowdy group crowds around a table, occasionally throwing peanuts at each other and using phrases and language unique to your gathering. You whoop and holler at jokes and keep up with the drinking.
Meanwhile outside, a member from that group you were judging is walking home by herself. Her friends were tired and went their separate ways for the night, and as she walks by the bar she peers in the window and sees the crazy things you're doing with your friends. She wrinkles her nose with disgust because all of you look like a troop of wild monkeys to her. She shakes her head and stuffs her hands in her pockets, and continues walking home.
See what happened there? Next time you start to judge someone for their behavior or the way they are, sit back and realize they feel the exact same way about you. What do you do with that? Don't ignore it. Notice the differences, but don't dismiss them or think them silly. If you don't understand, ask. If you want to know more, make a friend. If you want to be a part of this life with full clarity, wipe away the fog of your judgments and see people for what they are: people, just trying to live, trying to get by, trying to find love, trying to find family and friendship, trying to find a purpose... just like you.
Think about it. When you see a strange group of people you've never met hanging out and maybe acting weird with each other, you might wrinkle your nose, shrug, stuff your hands in your pockets and continue walking. You might think how you don't understand why people just can't be normal. Why do they have to be so different?
You keep walking, silently judging this group of people you are probably stereotyping, and arrive at the bar you're suppose to meet your friends at. When you walk in the door, you're greeted by a silly rhyme your best friend came up with when you were both drunk last week. You laugh and your rowdy group crowds around a table, occasionally throwing peanuts at each other and using phrases and language unique to your gathering. You whoop and holler at jokes and keep up with the drinking.
Meanwhile outside, a member from that group you were judging is walking home by herself. Her friends were tired and went their separate ways for the night, and as she walks by the bar she peers in the window and sees the crazy things you're doing with your friends. She wrinkles her nose with disgust because all of you look like a troop of wild monkeys to her. She shakes her head and stuffs her hands in her pockets, and continues walking home.
See what happened there? Next time you start to judge someone for their behavior or the way they are, sit back and realize they feel the exact same way about you. What do you do with that? Don't ignore it. Notice the differences, but don't dismiss them or think them silly. If you don't understand, ask. If you want to know more, make a friend. If you want to be a part of this life with full clarity, wipe away the fog of your judgments and see people for what they are: people, just trying to live, trying to get by, trying to find love, trying to find family and friendship, trying to find a purpose... just like you.