Judging people…I am guilty of it, you are guilty of it, and the whole world is guilty of it, and sadly, it will probably never cease to exist. When we judge people, it truly prohibits us from realizing the truth about that person and getting a better understanding of what they are going through or have gone through in their lives. Usually, first impressions are the judging point of anyone we meet or see and if that first impression is not a kind one, we tend to set our minds on auto pilot and into a negative direction, thus judging them in a poor view without even knowing who they really are or what they stand for.

Too many times, we judge people by their looks, cleanliness, clothes, ethnicity, skin color, vernacular, attitude and many other things without even really getting to know them. Often incorrect judgments are made because of limited information or because we do not see beyond that which is immediately in front of us. I read somewhere that judging people is like standing on the water of the ocean and creating or forming an opinion of that ocean without even diving into it and seeing where the true beauty lies. We do not know their lives, the pain they are in or have endured, or the circumstances that surround their lives so who are we to form any kind of opinion, good or bad?

My belief is that every person you come in contact with, every person you meet or see, has something special to offer you, but only if your heart is receptive to accepting it. If you have patience in finding and discovering who people really are before negatively judging them, you may find a new best friend, or someone you can count on to help you in the future, or just someone you can talk about your problems with.

Today, give someone the benefit of the doubt before you judge them negatively. Allow time to get a better understanding of the whole them and not just the few minutes that have past. I find that when negativity is the judge and jury of someone that you meet for the first time, then everyone that you encounter will be cast in a negative light…

You, me, and everyone else in this world is no better than you, me and everyone else in this world and should never be judged or looked down upon…

Please enjoy your day!!!

Rich Barnes