I'm judgmental.
I'm afraid it's true. I stumbled upon this realization today, actually.In the dollar store.
There I was, buying some certificate frames for some of the volunteers at work and as I'm checking out this lady walks up behind me. I start to get my bags and put them in my cart when I see her taking loads and I mean loads of what I would call junk [possibly her treasure] out of her basket and laying it on the counter to buy. I politely smiled at her and turned around to walk out. And do you know what my next thought was?
She must be a hoarder.
Yep.
I totally judged her.
You see, the T.V. made me do it [the ultimate excuse]. I've been watching that addicting show Hoarders on A&E lately, and I think I've been traumatized by some of the houses that have been shown on that show. Nevertheless, I got into my car and sat there for a second.
Completely ashamed.
"Seriously... How often do I do this?"
So here I am.
Spilling my judgmental guts to the entire world.
That's what I signed up for isn't it? Flaws and all.
But knowing is half the battle right? And at least I am aware of this so I can try to change it.
Because come on. I don't want to be "that girl".
So, because I am all about self-help, here are the steps I'm ready to take to change my heart:
Understand Them. I'll put myself in their shoes. I'll try to imagine possible scenarios as to why they are doing the things they are. I'll practice compassion and kick judgment to the curb!
Accept Them. I will accept people for who they are before I expect them to be the way society tells us to be or what I think is normal. I'll make an effort to talk to them and say something nice. I won't let stereotypes or t.v. shows dictate how I feel towards my fellow man.
Love Them. Once I try to understand them and accept them for who they are, the love part will come easy. I will pray that God gives me an open mind and an open heart for those around me. I will love them because I want to be like Christ and it won't matter if they are rich or poor, young or old, male or female, black or white, or ... even if they are hoarders. :)
[God, please help me to have a non-judgmental heart.]"My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say "You sit here in a good place", while you say to the poor man "You stand over there" or "sit down at my feet", have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?" - James 2:1-4
So here I am.
Spilling my judgmental guts to the entire world.
That's what I signed up for isn't it? Flaws and all.
But knowing is half the battle right? And at least I am aware of this so I can try to change it.
Because come on. I don't want to be "that girl".
So, because I am all about self-help, here are the steps I'm ready to take to change my heart:
Understand Them. I'll put myself in their shoes. I'll try to imagine possible scenarios as to why they are doing the things they are. I'll practice compassion and kick judgment to the curb!
Accept Them. I will accept people for who they are before I expect them to be the way society tells us to be or what I think is normal. I'll make an effort to talk to them and say something nice. I won't let stereotypes or t.v. shows dictate how I feel towards my fellow man.
Love Them. Once I try to understand them and accept them for who they are, the love part will come easy. I will pray that God gives me an open mind and an open heart for those around me. I will love them because I want to be like Christ and it won't matter if they are rich or poor, young or old, male or female, black or white, or ... even if they are hoarders. :)
[God, please help me to have a non-judgmental heart.]"My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say "You sit here in a good place", while you say to the poor man "You stand over there" or "sit down at my feet", have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?" - James 2:1-4
I have to check myself on this one all the time. Especially in a culture different from my own. I find myself judging the people because of the way they do things and act. Shouldn't they do it like me? I'm from the best country in the world you know... Texas. It's rather unfortunate.
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