Don’t judge me (or anyone)

Yep, you’ve heard the saying Don’t judge a book by the cover, same applies to people!

There’s a lot of judging going on lately…
online, offline…and why?

People judge others based on personal appearance, job choices, clothing, jewelry, cars, their own insecurities, and a slew of other aspects which simply make no sense whatsoever.
Instead of judging, why not get to know the person before coming to unwarranted opinions?

The car one drives doesn’t make one better than another, so quit looking down on those who don’t drive something as nice as you do.
(side note: there’s nothing wrong with owning a ‘box’ (Scion XB)…be proud of the box…good gas mileage, can reach speeds of 100+ (not that I advise or condone doing that lol), has a lot more space in the inside…kinda like the TARDIS on Dr Who..you know “it’s bigger on the inside”)

Ditto that with clothing and jewelry.
The same person can wear different clothing and be judged based on what they’re wearing, which is totally ridiculous.
Am I not the same person in all these pictures?
Dressed up, in Peace tank top & camo, or in Alo Sportswear, in hippie piecework skirt?!
I’m still me…Tara Burner.
The same person, the clothing does not make me.
So quit judging me on what I wear!

Things do not make a person.
Traits and mannerisms do make a person.
Being compassionate, friendly, caring, outgoing, secure, confident, true and genuine are all much better than someone who’s stuck up, snobby, insecure.

Because someone chooses to have a physical job or an outside job doesn’t make them less a person than the ones sitting in the a/c working 9-5 in their suit. Some people do really enjoy being physical out in the sun and fresh air.

If someone is overweight that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a glutton. They could have medical issues, they could have physiological/emotional issues they’re dealing with.
Being thin also isn’t a basis for judging and assuming that the person doesn’t eat or has a disorder or anything equally illogical. Some people are blessed with high metabolisms and the ability to stay thin (though I’m not one of those).

You see a woman with short short hair or nearly no hair and think that somehow she’s butch, yet what you don’t know is she just went through chemo and her hair is growing back or perhaps she was so stressed in life that she pulled it all out strand by strand and it’s now growing back.

There’s a woman who is big chested, her boobs are bigger than yours….somehow you justify your judging and condemning her…why?
Boobs do not make a person.
Some wish theirs were bigger, some wish theirs were smaller.
Since we live in a judgmental world, those who are smaller…be glad.
There’s too much drama with being bigger (trust me on this one, I know first hand what nonsense comes from some judgmental people in this area).

Don’t judge the runner next to you…she/he may be running slower than you but they may be running the pace they set. You don’t know their goals, personal records so don’t judge.
Don’t judge the people in the gym with you…you don’t know their backgrounds, and what they’re there to accomplish.
Don’t judge the person on the yoga mat beside you…you don’t know their ambitions and desires, what they want to get out of the class (it really isn’t a contest).

Don’t judge anyone based on their children’s actions.
Don’t judge someone because of their significant other (or lack of a significant other—yes, some of us choose to be single thank you).

And, of course I’m sure most of you know the Bible verse about judging….
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Matthew 7:2 NIV

Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment
John 7:24

But, I especially like this quote about judging people…
When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself ~author unknown

I really like this too because really what you think of someone else (if that someone else is strong enough) won’t bother them, as long as they’re confident in themselves and realize that they need not be affected by your judgements!

I’m going to leave you with some food for thought, instead of immediately jumping to judge someone…get to know them, you may just find that they’re not what you thought!
Your judging could also affect people and their livelihood, their ability to provide for their family, work, and enjoy life…or if the person you’re judging is determined & strong they won’t be defeated or put on the sideline by small thinking like yours…they’ll grow, get stronger and prove who’s the better one.

Question of the day:
What do you notice about a person?
their physical appearance or their personality/character?
Have you been unjustly judged?