| Who am I to judge? Should you? Can those that hold | | | | compassion for other human beings. You can change |
| themselves in higher regard than others honestly say | | | | your perceptions of others. |
| that they have never made a mistake? Probably not. I | | | | Instead of judging those who are less fortunate try |
| know that I am in no position to judge others. Very | | | | empathizing with them. Maybe people somehow get |
| few people are. I've made my share of mistakes as | | | | into their situations and cannot find a way out? Maybe |
| have you. Once you forgive yourself, you can convey | | | | they need help, or simply hope. Some people may not |
| that compassion outward. | | | | be lucky enough to have the strength to endure all that |
| A common side effect of practicing yoga is the | | | | life shells out. |
| awareness that the practice provides. The awareness | | | | Sometimes people look at others and instantly judge if |
| is of ourselves, how we feel - physically and mentally. | | | | the other person is inferior to them. Other times we |
| Are we angry with ourselves for making a mistake? | | | | can see that there is some goodness in every human |
| Do we use that anger to judge ourselves? Once we | | | | being. These are two totally different perceptions of |
| determine what our issues are we can make positive | | | | humanity. If we could have even a little less judging |
| changes to improve our quality of life. We need to | | | | maybe the world would be that little bit easier to deal |
| change anger and frustration to compassion, starting | | | | with. Tip the scale towards compassion. |
| with ourselves. | | | | Sometimes people take their judgments to new levels. |
| As you develop your mindfulness through your yoga | | | | If they are angry at themselves (or someone else for |
| practice, consider practicing being non-judgmental. Start | | | | that matter) compassion for others might be a difficult |
| with yourself. Years ago I heard a phrase on the radio | | | | task. If you are judging yourself or others as wrong, |
| and it has since stayed with me; "You can't move | | | | remember that you are in control of your attitude. You |
| forward by looking in the rear-view mirror". Give | | | | can decide to move towards positivity and |
| yourself permission to move forward. If we hold onto | | | | compassion. |
| our mistakes and keep looking back at them, judging | | | | Our outlook on any given day is our decision. We can |
| ourselves or others, we can never move forward. | | | | feel guilt or anger and judge accordingly, or we can |
| I have always believed that everything happens for a | | | | move on with positivity. Do we allow our anger to ruin |
| reason. Bad things can happen to make us stronger or | | | | the day? No, we need to change our outgoing attitude |
| more appreciative of what we have. Contrary to what | | | | to make ourselves and others happy. |
| we might want to believe, good things happen | | | | There is no magic switch or potion that can turn you |
| because of someone's hard work, someone's | | | | from a judgmental person to non-judgmental. It is an |
| endurance of hardships, someone's outlook or hope. | | | | ongoing practice. You will always meet new people |
| Jealousy is a big part of being judgmental. You think | | | | and your practiced perspective of those people will |
| someone has more than you? More what? Money, | | | | vary. Keep in mind that every little bit of compassion |
| success, better looks? They might prefer to have | | | | counts. Then practice as often as you can. |
| something that you live with: health, security in love, a | | | | Every single day is yours. You get to do whatever |
| special talent, or maybe a supportive family. Maybe | | | | you want with it. You decide. Waste a day being |
| they view your lifestyle as more normal than theirs, but | | | | judgmental, angry, and aggravated with yourself or |
| who determines what is normal? Or who gets to | | | | others? Or practice compassion. Those who are quick |
| judge if your life is the normal one? | | | | to judge might miss out on something special. |
| People grow up with their ancestral morals. The views | | | | Everyone has some kindness inside of them that |
| of past generations may not apply to today's world. | | | | needs to be shared. Being judgmental doesn't make |
| Normal 50 years ago certainly is not normal in today's | | | | you happy. Don't miss out on your own kindness - or |
| world. Your awareness can change the way you | | | | the kindness others have to offer. |
| judge others. Tap into your subconscious kindness. | | | | As you relax in savasana at the end of your next |
| Instead of judging someone as wrong, decide that | | | | yoga session, be mindful of your compassion. |
| other people's opinions or actions don't necessarily | | | | Consciously release any negative judgments of |
| define them. | | | | yourself you are holding onto. You will feel lighter. Then |
| Do you typically judge people's status in the world by | | | | practice this compassion with others. Make a |
| how they look or how they are dressed? Try skewing | | | | commitment to yourself to try. That's all I ask. |
| your outlook towards practicing some open-minded | | | | Let's promote some peace and compassion. |