I find it very disturbing that many people are becoming more and more judgmental. After all that our country has been through (such as civil rights and the like) instead of becoming more accepting and encouraging, we use things such as social media, blogs and comments on news outlet web pages, to bash someone or something in a judgmental way. What ever happen to civility?
Stephen Covey said "seek first to understand, then be understood". Good advice. It's easy, and if I dare say, lazy to simply judge something and therefore come to a one sided conclusion. What happened to respect? So if my opinion doesn't agree with yours isn't better to say nothing or better yet say, as General Tommy Franks said "what a great country where people have the freedom to express themselves."? What I admire about General Franks is that he rarely, if ever, let's you know how he feels about someone's opinion.
So you have your opinion and I have mine. Fine. Let's express those opinions, share in the background that led us to those opinions and be flexible; flexible in a way where we are willing to change our opinion when served with additional, quality information. When one posts a judgment it appears stated in fact as if the book is closed on the situation and no other opinion or quality information will be considered. I find that sad and self-limiting to the author of the judgment.
And what about our young people? When they see what we write, what we express in such a final tone: "x-team is a bunch of losers". "x-political party are a bunch of selfish numb skulls", etc. What are we teaching our young people with such closed minded conclusions?
Next time you are about to post an opinion ask yourself something: "Is this an opinion or a judgment?" After all, what benefits the reader more -- a well constructed opinion or a sharp, nasty, biting judgment?
For myself, I find great peace in knowing that there is really only one Judge -- and it ain't me! It's not a job I want and I am certain, by no circumstances, am I worthy of such a position.
