“A hallucination is a fact, not an error; what is erroneous is a judgment based upon it.” ~ Bertrand Russell

We have a habit of criticizing others … We have a habit of analyzing their choices and attempting to correct their mistakes … We have a habit of witnessing a certain behavior and then formulating a general opinion about the person who performed it. We catch someone lying to us and w…e label them a “liar”. We see someone behaving fearfully and we label them “a coward”. We see another consciously causing us pain and we label them “evil”.

Fair enough — sometimes our analysis might even be correct. We might very well be able to guess another’s motives correctly (though most of the time we do not), and yet the only thing that we are truly illuminating in such moments are OUR OWN tendencies.

We cannot see the “liar” in another without currently lying ourselves. We cannot see the “coward” in another without currently behaving cowardly ourselves. We cannot see the “evil” in another without being “evil” enough to arrogantly make that very judgment!

And yet, we continue to point those fingers … We continue to analyze and criticize and correct and condemn. Indeed, this instinct is quite deeply programed in us all, and it might be too difficult for you to discontinue. Fair enough — just remember the next time(s) you do so that every time you point one finger outward at another, there are three fingers pointing back at yourself.

Indeed, we can only “see” in others what we ourselves already are, recently were or are about to become.

So judge all you want, folks — just remember to catch yourself doing so, remember to look in the mirror and humbly see the same tendency in yourself, and then remember to act with compassion immediately thereafter; especially towards the very person you are criticizing.

Please remember that we are not our mistakes … that we are not our “sins” … that we are not our behaviors. You are a Beauty-full, Kind & Caring being who sometimes makes selfish mistakes …

So, too, is EVERYONE else in your lives.

Please remember this today — and please act accordingly.

Filed under: Wisdoms from the Journey by Scaughdt