Mother Teresa said, “If you judge people, you don’t have time to love them.” If we are quick to pass judgment on others, we forget that they, like us, are human beings. As we seldom know what roads people have traveled before a shared encounter or why they have come into our lives, we should always give those we meet the gift of an open heart. Doing so allows us to replace fear-based criticism with appreciation. “The Daily OM”
Yes, I pass judgment on others. I hear myself thinking, “Dumb ass” when someone cuts me off on the freeway.
The first thing I think when I walk by someone smoking is, “cancer stick.” The next thing is “What is that horrible stench?” I am not so happy to admit I’ve told Morgan to hold her breath when we walk by someone smoking. Morgan even asked me to close the car window when she could smell cigarette smoke from the next car. Is this a judgment? I suppose it is.
Both of my parents died of smoking cigarettes. Still is it any of my business? I would say this is a fear-based critique.
I judge my own child sometimes too. When Morgan eats 2 bites of her dinner and brings her plate to the kitchen and says, “I’m done.” I worry about her health. Do I think, “Yikes!” Yes, sometimes I do. Is it any of my business? Is this a fear-based critique? Am I using my open heart?
Does Morgan know when she has eaten enough? Can she tell when she doesn’t want any more to eat? Well, of course she can. I need to leave my judgments on the side of the road.
I know Morgan is My Smile Maker. Just looking at her little face brings a smile to my face. Maybe Morgan is in my life to teach me the gift of having an open heart.
June, 7th 2007
1 comment:
Hi Gaelen,
It is nice to see your post. Thank you for the gift of this thought: “If you judge people, you don’t have time to love them.”
Don't forget, don't judge yourself too much (I certainly have lots of experience in that field myself). Don't forget to love yourself too.
I know you are a great mom.
In my neck of the woods, there are not many moms doing the total Mom thing like we are doing. We are well educated, artistic, and we give our love, time, and life to these kids and our family. They learned much good from us.
The world may not recognize all that we have done. Maybe it is up to us to stop and look.. not judge, but just see the love and the good we have given and see the results from it.
Have a great evening.
Maxine
Post a Comment