Breathe darling. Breathe.
Things are hard right now, aren’t they? When I first started writing this article about my goal to drop labels so I could live without judgment, I was thinking I didn’t want to judge people based on physical attributions. Now I’m trying not to judge people in the community and around the country for taking actions that make me feel afraid for my safety.
In some ways, though, this experience has clarified something for me: We are all human and we are all doing our best. And judging someone else’s best, someone else’s beliefs, does nothing but harm us.
I’ve spent a long time trying to become aware, trying to become more conscious, trying to practice gratitude and compassion.
When I look out my window, seeing public transport with people and everyone just going on with their daily life, I admit my mind immediately jumped in with negative labels and assumptions.
And I bet those same people would judge me in an unflattering way, as well.
That’s the thing with judgment — it cuts both ways and there is no final answer. There’s no way to know who is “right.” Likely because we all have glimmers of truth in our belief systems.
I also find myself listening to the news and calling people names, both out loud and inside my own head, which is just another way of labelling and judging them. I’m gradually realizing it’s more important now than ever to try to let go of labels.
But how?? How can I let go when I think that guy over there is doing something stupid, something that might literally kill me?
There’s one thing I’m certain of, and it’s that I feel better, calmer, and more present when I stop listening to and believing the chatter of my mind. When I go outside and take a walk, when my mind is busy admiring the beauties of life rather than tearing down the politicians, I’m at peace.
I want more of that. Fewer labels. More compassion. So here’s how I’m currently encouraging myself to let go of judgments.
I’m reminding myself that labelling helps nothing. Nothing at all. Whether you’re labelling people who want everything to stay closed for as long as possible or the state governor who wants everything re-opened right now, you’re not helping.
Judging other people won’t make you feel better, not really. It may temporarily make your ego feel self-important, or smart, or special, but if you’re in touch with yourself and your real feelings, it will just leave you feeling empty.
When I judge, I’m not compassionate or kind. And all of this negative energy would be significantly lessened if I simply accepted people for what and who they are.
Accepting our differences and other people’s opinions doesn’t mean taking any action, though. It just means taking action from a place of peace rather reacting from anger or fear. It means putting yourself in their shoes for a moment.
I’m realizing that labelling is judging, plain and simple.
I’m observing without the labels.
I’m also noticing my judgments without labelling them.
However, as part of this process, I’m giving myself compassion. When I notice that I’m labelling someone or something, (She’s trying to do what!? Why he is saying that, it’s so dangerous! How did we get in this horrible position??), I simply stop.
I’m consciously inviting myself to notice the present moment.
“The quicker you are in attaching verbal or mental labels to things, people, or situations, the more shallow and lifeless your reality becomes, and the more deadened you become to reality.” ~Eckhart Tolle
