Having compassion and empathy for others is something that I normally have. Occasionally though, I will find myself judging someone else based upon looks alone without ever having spoken to them. Whomever it is may be pretty or seemingly have the perfect family or maybe they just have the level of success that I strive to achieve. Whatever it is, I know that I have judged harshly because of something that I am lacking. Or that I perceive to be lacking. If I’m trully honest I know that my judgment has no bearing on the person that I’m wrongly judging.
Today, I attended a new church and I found myself judging someone. In church of all places! I could only see this woman from behind but I found myself green with envy because she was perfectly put together – nice clothing, great hair, etc. Something that I perceive myself not to be – in fact, (and this will be the last time I say this and then I am going to release this limiting belief) I believe that I am style-less and would fall on my face in heels like that!
This woman that I so was envious of stood up in front of the congregation a few minutes later and told her story. She had been diagnosed with several diseases including MS. She had previously been on 20 different medications and walked with a cane. This brave, beautiful woman that I had been so envious of was actually an inspiration to me and to many others. She used the power of her thoughts and is now able to walk in those heels without the use of a cane and she is currently only on 2 medications.
I was so humbled by her story and ashamed that I had previously judged her so – especially since my mission is to help others love themselves and love others.. And then I began to think about the lesson behind the experience that I had today.
I just never know what someone else is feeling or what they’ve gone through. I can’t begin to know who someone else really is because I’ve never walked in their shoes. I can only keep this lesson in mind and work on loving myself more so that I’m not so easy to judge. And be kind to myself and realize that I’m Human!
