“I think fish is nice, but then I think that rain is wet, so who am I to judge?” ― Douglas Adams
I have heard others say that they are convinced that suffering comes from judgment; not simply self-judgement, but from all judgment. Judgment is evil at its best, its passive aggressive and often goes unnoticed when we keep it in our minds. To gain strength, to work our courage muscle, we must learn to listen without judgment so that we can see things the way they are, not the way we perceive them.
“I ask you to judge me by the enemies I have made.” ― Franklin D. Roosevelt
Most often people think that they are listening, but in their minds they are judging what the other person is saying, crafting a response in their minds, and waiting for their turn to talk. So full disclosure, we are actually NOT listening, we are judging what is being said, and how we hear it. What we need to do is to this week is to be strong and disciplined enough to listen, really truly listen, to EVERYONE who speaks to us. It is not required to have an instant response to shoot out as soon as someone is done talking. Don’t be afraid to take a pause when the person is done talking, to wait a moment to process all that you HEARD while you were listening before you respond. This practice will not only strengthen your courage, it will enhance your intuition, empower the people you are engaging, as well as yourself, and it will truly enhance the present moment.
“The excitable observer will pass judgment first and then make knowledge conform to judgement; the prudent observer will first learn to know and then judge according to knowledge.” ― Thomas F. Cleary
I can honestly state that I, in fact, know people who do this. At first I thought it was strange to see them pause before answering questions or debating an issue, but in experiencing the relationship within those conversations with these people is an amazing thing. These are the people who remember specific details about me, about my life, and about what we’ve discussed. Sometimes they remind me of topics we’ve discussed…that I don’t recall – because they were listening to me, but I clearly wasn’t listening well enough to them. Let’s try to truly listen to others this week.
“The highest form of human intelligence is to observe yourself without judgement.” ― Jiddu Krishnamurti
As Artists and Creatives we are especially susceptible to self-judgement, so this week we must also try not to judge ourselves. Most of us often hear that parental voice in our head that says “Your friends aren’t going to like your cake”, or “You need to spend more time writing” or “No one is going to buy that piece you just created”…do you actually understand what happens in response to this inner voice?
We believe that listening to this voice will motivate us to take action, to do what the voice says, or prove it wrong..and therefore protect ourselves from failure and rejection. We have probably been judging ourselves from the time we were children, hoping to keep ourselves in line and doing things ‘right’ to gain the approval of the adults in our lives. And we keep doing it, because we believe it works…this is not true…it does not work…it only makes us feel bad when we do not accomplish what the voice is telling us. We judge ourselves by how we converse with these thoughts. It may seem silly, but remember what we were constantly told as a child? “Treat others like you want to be treated.”
We need this week to not judge ourselves either…we cannot stop judging ourselves with these voices until we are conscious of doing it. As long as you are doing it on auto pilot you have no choice. So firstly, do not try to change it, just take notice, be aware of it…LISTEN to the voice. The more consciously aware of it you are, the sooner you have the choice to change it! You will have the choice to be caring and loving towards yourself instead of judgmental. So for ourselves this week, we are going to listen to our inner voices, pause, and answer them…so we can be non-judgmental at the very least to ourselves.
“By judging others, you make yourself easy to judge.” ― Ashly Lorenzana
I found a wonderful blog this week about being non-judgmental and non-judgmental beings, it’s called: Being Without Judgement…Conversations with My Dog… it states: “We can be quick to judge. We’re wired to judge. Just a quick look and we size up other people-friend, foe, neutral – what’s their value to us, we’re asking. And what’s more, we’re quick to blame and to lay a judgement on. Judgement blocks compassion and empathy. It kills silence, creative thinking and what can be. On the other hand when we keep judgement at bay, are mindful, check out assumptions, appreciate our diversity… and respond appropriately to what’s in front of us, we are on the right track.” Please check out his list of reasons for his conversations with his dog, it’s a lovely blog!
“It’s okay to disagree with the thoughts or opinions expressed by other people. That doesn’t give you the right to deny any sense they might make. Nor does it give you a right to accuse someone of poorly expressing their beliefs just because you don’t like what they are saying. Learn to recognize good writing when you read it, even if it means overcoming your pride and opening your mind beyond what is comfortable.” ― Ashly Lorenzana
You may be wondering then.. what are the qualities of being non-judgmental…well, this is what I’ve found: Being nonjudgmental is about being open-minded enough to understand that other people have different points of view, and that in their worldview, they may be correct. For many issues, there is no absolute truth. However, it still leaves us open to stating our own opinions, and acting in ways that some might call judgmental. To be personally non-judgmental you need to practice listening, introspection, humility, and being secure in who you are. And I know you all possess some of these things, or you wouldn’t be working on your Creative Courage
“Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping them up.”
― Jesse Jackson
So this week, we are learning to be non-judgmental! We will work on really listening to the people who are talking to you, without judging what they are saying, or about what your response is going to be. We are going to listen without judgement! Also, learn to be non-judgmental with yourself, especially with regard to your creativity, regardless of what level you are at, or what medium that you use, you are perfect just the way you are! Become aware of the judgmental voices in our own heads, and learn how to ignore them or respond positively to them! You will be more calm, more confident, more positive, more courageous and more creative!! GO, and shun the Judge Judy that may be lurking inside of you…but please temper it with the fact that it’s important to make a better self for your life! (No I didn’t say that backwards! )
JeaneMargherite Meria Murray McMahon Schintgen
(that’s my name, don’t wear it out!)
“I think fish is nice, but then I think that rain is wet, so who am I to judge?” ― Douglas Adams
I have heard others say that they are convinced that suffering comes from judgment; not simply self-judgement, but from all judgment. Judgment is evil at its best, its passive aggressive and often goes unnoticed when we keep it in our minds. To gain strength, to work our courage muscle, we must learn to listen without judgment so that we can see things the way they are, not the way we perceive them.
“I ask you to judge me by the enemies I have made.” ― Franklin D. Roosevelt
Most often people think that they are listening, but in their minds they are judging what the other person is saying, crafting a response in their minds, and waiting for their turn to talk. So full disclosure, we are actually NOT listening, we are judging what is being said, and how we hear it. What we need to do is to this week is to be strong and disciplined enough to listen, really truly listen, to EVERYONE who speaks to us. It is not required to have an instant response to shoot out as soon as someone is done talking. Don’t be afraid to take a pause when the person is done talking, to wait a moment to process all that you HEARD while you were listening before you respond. This practice will not only strengthen your courage, it will enhance your intuition, empower the people you are engaging, as well as yourself, and it will truly enhance the present moment.
“The excitable observer will pass judgment first and then make knowledge conform to judgement; the prudent observer will first learn to know and then judge according to knowledge.” ― Thomas F. Cleary
I can honestly state that I, in fact, know people who do this. At first I thought it was strange to see them pause before answering questions or debating an issue, but in experiencing the relationship within those conversations with these people is an amazing thing. These are the people who remember specific details about me, about my life, and about what we’ve discussed. Sometimes they remind me of topics we’ve discussed…that I don’t recall – because they were listening to me, but I clearly wasn’t listening well enough to them. Let’s try to truly listen to others this week.“The highest form of human intelligence is to observe yourself without judgement.” ― Jiddu Krishnamurti
As Artists and Creatives we are especially susceptible to self-judgement, so this week we must also try not to judge ourselves. Most of us often hear that parental voice in our head that says “Your friends aren’t going to like your cake”, or “You need to spend more time writing” or “No one is going to buy that piece you just created”…do you actually understand what happens in response to this inner voice?
We believe that listening to this voice will motivate us to take action, to do what the voice says, or prove it wrong..and therefore protect ourselves from failure and rejection. We have probably been judging ourselves from the time we were children, hoping to keep ourselves in line and doing things ‘right’ to gain the approval of the adults in our lives. And we keep doing it, because we believe it works…this is not true…it does not work…it only makes us feel bad when we do not accomplish what the voice is telling us. We judge ourselves by how we converse with these thoughts. It may seem silly, but remember what we were constantly told as a child? “Treat others like you want to be treated.”
We need this week to not judge ourselves either…we cannot stop judging ourselves with these voices until we are conscious of doing it. As long as you are doing it on auto pilot you have no choice. So firstly, do not try to change it, just take notice, be aware of it…LISTEN to the voice. The more consciously aware of it you are, the sooner you have the choice to change it! You will have the choice to be caring and loving towards yourself instead of judgmental. So for ourselves this week, we are going to listen to our inner voices, pause, and answer them…so we can be non-judgmental at the very least to ourselves.
“By judging others, you make yourself easy to judge.” ― Ashly Lorenzana
I found a wonderful blog this week about being non-judgmental and non-judgmental beings, it’s called: Being Without Judgement…Conversations with My Dog… it states: “We can be quick to judge. We’re wired to judge. Just a quick look and we size up other people-friend, foe, neutral – what’s their value to us, we’re asking. And what’s more, we’re quick to blame and to lay a judgement on. Judgement blocks compassion and empathy. It kills silence, creative thinking and what can be. On the other hand when we keep judgement at bay, are mindful, check out assumptions, appreciate our diversity… and respond appropriately to what’s in front of us, we are on the right track.” Please check out his list of reasons for his conversations with his dog, it’s a lovely blog!“It’s okay to disagree with the thoughts or opinions expressed by other people. That doesn’t give you the right to deny any sense they might make. Nor does it give you a right to accuse someone of poorly expressing their beliefs just because you don’t like what they are saying. Learn to recognize good writing when you read it, even if it means overcoming your pride and opening your mind beyond what is comfortable.” ― Ashly Lorenzana
You may be wondering then.. what are the qualities of being non-judgmental…well, this is what I’ve found: Being nonjudgmental is about being open-minded enough to understand that other people have different points of view, and that in their worldview, they may be correct. For many issues, there is no absolute truth. However, it still leaves us open to stating our own opinions, and acting in ways that some might call judgmental. To be personally non-judgmental you need to practice listening, introspection, humility, and being secure in who you are. And I know you all possess some of these things, or you wouldn’t be working on your Creative Courage
“Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping them up.”
― Jesse Jackson
So this week, we are learning to be non-judgmental! We will work on really listening to the people who are talking to you, without judging what they are saying, or about what your response is going to be. We are going to listen without judgement! Also, learn to be non-judgmental with yourself, especially with regard to your creativity, regardless of what level you are at, or what medium that you use, you are perfect just the way you are! Become aware of the judgmental voices in our own heads, and learn how to ignore them or respond positively to them! You will be more calm, more confident, more positive, more courageous and more creative!! GO, and shun the Judge Judy that may be lurking inside of you…but please temper it with the fact that it’s important to make a better self for your life! (No I didn’t say that backwards! )
