Being Me: Week 21

"Love is the absence of judgement ~Dalai Lama 

Being Me: Week 21 (Love is the absence of judgment ~ Dalai Lama)

May theme: The difference between a flower and a weed is judgment

As I lean into this study of judgement, reading stories to learn more, I am curiously aware of  the judgement I make and receive.  Judgement comes from a value we hold and when someone does not carry that same value, we consider it wrong or judge their choices. Yet their values come from their life circumstances.

When someone does not live up to your work ethic you may judge them as lazy, or inconsiderate if not acting in a way that you recognize as kind. Yet, we feel judged when others project their values onto us for our decisions.

In psychology today they explain how our brains are wired to make automatic judgements about others’ behaviors, so that we can move through the world without spending too much time or energy on understanding everything we see. Sometimes we engage in more thoughtful, slow processing of others’ behaviors. Like when you ruminate on what your friend or coworker said that bothered you.

This perception is ingrained in your thought process, these thoughts over time created your truth. In order to understand our own judgement, we must recognize our perceptions of truth, the values we believe. 

Whether you perceive someone to be right or wrong, your opinion should not matter if you are coming from a place of love. Instead, notice where the words or actions are coming from so you can learn to recognize whether they are fear based or love based. Love brings constructive behavior or response while fear is the destructive opposite. 

Until you are able to live in compassion with who you are, your love will always be  conditional.   

 Themes for each month to journal, create or contemplate on your journey

• January - The best time for new beginnings is now

1. Morning routine
2. Mission statement
3. Create your YES list
4. Goals, baby steps, tiny promises
5. Putting it in motion

• February - Before anything else, find yourself, be yourself and love yourself

1. Take care of your body
2. Meditation and solitude
3. Food choices and ideas for change
4. What makes you happy

• March - All you need is tea and warm socks

1. Enjoy the simple things
2. Letting go of thoughts and things
3. Both hands
4. Mindfulness (social media and smart phones)
5. Setting intentions

• April - Water your roots so your soul can blossom

1. Water and other things we need to grow
2. Time to blossom
3. The 3 R's
4. Forgiveness

• May -  The difference between a flower and a weed is judgment

1. Stop judging yourself and others (why we judge)
2. The grass isn't always greener
3. Love is the absence of judgement

• June - Believe you can and your halfway there
• July - Bold stripes, bright stars, brave hearts
• August - We are who we choose to be
• September - Sometimes we can learn and study & know, and sometimes we have to believe, trust and hope
• October - We can't become what we want by remaining what we are
• November - Small seeds of gratitude will provide a harvest of hope
• December - Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of hope

 Mission Statement:  I will improve my overall health and wellness, use kindness and inspiration with a vision that creates  a community of giving and in doing so achieve my purpose in this life.   

Weekly post links