So, as I go through my day things/people get under my skin.

At work: lack of work effort which puts more on others, a person who incessantly looks for mistakes, and people who aren’t self-motivated or aware.

In the world: people who are super loud and rowdy in public spaces, aggressive drivers, bad etiquette, people who push their beliefs on others in a bad or dangerous way.

There is one word that encompasses all of these actions, lack of consideration.

If people considered others, there would be no racism. No famine. No wars.  It is not difficult to be a considerate person and to respect our fellow man and think of others and empathize.

Many of us do try to show compassion for and consider others in our daily lives. Especially those we feel who are vulnerable. Like children, animals, and older people. Or even people who are like us socioeconomically or share the same views or look at or experience life the same way. That isn’t hard to do, though.

But what if someone is on drugs on the corner? Or living in a tent? Or what if we see someone with 4 children who look like they are struggling? Do we judge? Do we feel pity? Do we empathize?

I do judge sometimes, and I do jump to conclusions. It is solely based on fear, doubt, or my own insecurities or worries. And sometimes prejudging comes from a place of past hurts more so than thinking that I am better than others.

For instance, if I have seen someone behave or look a certain way, I may jokingly say to someone I am close to- that truck is rednecky or that is kind of bummy because a person is doing A, B, or C.

But what would people say when they see me? She thinks she is good-looking or she needs to lose 40 lbs or her clothes are not high-end. I am sure people have said much worse.

I grew up in the south in the 80s, and it was common to “bust on others” as a friendly way to pick at each other. We only did that with friends. But many times, those jokes towards each other turned to silent judgment.

When I start to judge, I have to remember scripture:

1 Samuel 16:7b “God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

I may sound like a mean girl, but I can assure you that I am the polar opposite. I never meet strangers and go out of my way for everyone I know, even new acquaintances. I feed every stray animal I see. I am a softie. But there is pain there. So I act out. There are some things I should change for sure, and I am working on:

Being  Less Judgmental

Not Being So Quick to Cut People Off

Not Treating People How They Treat Me

I, like other people, have things I must  work on. And instead of dealing with my own issues, I have projected on to others at times. It isn’t right, but I think it is part of the human condition. I am doing all that I can to make myself a better version of who I am and who I have been.

What do you need to work on? Is it hard? Do you have a problem facing what you need to change?

Even if you aren’t willing to be as vulnerable as I have been, please know that even if you don’t tell a soul, you are not alone in this.

Thoughts and prayers and hugs to you all. And hopefully you guys won’t judge me for my various imperfections.

~simply

Dee