A change in perspective helps with judgment

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September 20, 2019 - 3:29 PM

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.

I’d really rather not. It’s 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 you’ve 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 you’ve judged a stranger for snapping at his kids. But maybe he’s just been dumped/fired/scarily diagnosed. Forgivable, right? So forgive.

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