Five years ago, I wrote about the dangers of pointing out faults in others. See https://www.darylwatson.org/…/the-dangers-of-pointing…/

Reflecting upon that blogpost, one thought comes to mind as I try to do better, is this… “I choose not to let passing judgment become a silent habit that I don’t know is happening.”

It’s easy to slip into judgmental thinking without even realising it, by quietly critiquing others’ choices, behaviours, or appearance in our minds.

Just the other day, I caught myself doing that very thing.

When unchecked, this internal habit can become a barrier to compassion, humility, and true meekness.

Passing judgment often starts as a whisper in our thoughts.

It might seem insignificant, a fleeting observation of someone else’s shortcomings or differences.

However, these seemingly small judgments, left unaddressed, can build up over time, shaping how we view and interact with others.

Worse, they can become so ingrained that we may not even recognise when we’re doing it.

Our perceptions of others become clouded by preconceived ideas, biases and crazy notions, which can erode our ability to extend love and understanding.

To counter this, it’s vital to actively constantly cultivate self-awareness.

Just as we try to monitor our words and actions, we must also be mindful of our thoughts.

A helpful practice is to pause when a critical thought arises.

Ask yourself: “Why am I thinking this? Is it rooted in compassion, or is it a reflexive judgment?”

By catching these thoughts in the moment, we can prevent them from taking root and influencing our attitudes.

More importantly, we need to replace judgment with empathy.

We are each on a unique journey in life, filled with struggles, difficulties, and stories we may never fully understand.

I believe when we shift our focus from judgment to empathy, we can begin to respond with kindness and support, rather than criticism.

We can remind ourselves that, just as we desire grace for our own imperfections, others deserve the same grace.

I am more committed than ever to avoiding the silent habit of judgment.

It requires constant vigilance, self-reflection, and intentionality.

By staying mindful of my thoughts and striving to replace judgment with empathy, I hope to become more mindful of my interactions, seeing the best in others and focusing on love rather than faults.

How can you prevent judgmental thoughts entering your mind?