I Was Judged Today and I Lived

Each of us probably spends wastes time daily considering what other people will think of us. I just thought very hard about how to write that last sentence. Because we are aware that we will be judged by others. And nothing that we do can stop them from doing so.

I got up this morning and I judged that my belly looked enormous, and I chose an outfit that played that down. First judgement of the day was on me. Then I went to the grocery store. There were lots of people there at the grocery store. I am certain that someone thought something of me, whether it was how large I was or if my hair looked nice or I talked too loud.

On the way home, I forgot to use my blinker to signal as I turned. And the guy that was waiting at the stop sign shook his head. I realized that I had been judged an inconsiderate driver for not signaling. Something I’m sure I have judged others for.

That judgement will come my way no matter how hard I try to avoid it. I can kiss everyone’s butt, wear makeup, be skinny, pray to the right God, and in the end, someone will judge me for something. It’s what we humans do. It’s what we do to ourselves even before we get dressed.

What I do know is that I will not die from making wardrobe faux pas-s. I will not be publicly stoned for failure to signal. Or calling someone by the wrong name. Or not wishing them happy birthday on Facebook. And I also need to remember that I need to do unto myself and others as I would have them do unto me. Kindness, not fear, makes the journey better.