Dear Carolyn: Recently I was walking through the park on a warm summer night, and I came to the long overdue realization that I judge other people in my own head.
Id really rather not. Its not good for the soul.
Now what? Your Honor
Dear Honor: Now, give your soul a checklist.
Forgive versus judge anything you yourself have done.
Forgive anything youve forgiven in someone you love.
Forgive anything that could have even one reasonable or sympathetic explanation though thinking up as many as possible is a great exercise in compassion.
Say youve judged a stranger for snapping at his kids. But maybe hes just been dumped/fired/scarily diagnosed. Forgivable, right? So forgive.