Judgment vs. Observation
Date: June 22, 2025
I want to talk about judgment vs. observation for a moment here. Many of us, myself included, have spent a lot of time judging others. Let's face it - it's fun. It's satisfying. It's also kind of mean, but we knew that. What about learning from something we're judging - it then becomes an observation. What's the difference? Here's how to sort it out, as the British say.
A judgment can happen rapidly - before we even realize it. Someone comes into Walmart wearing pajamas and their tennis shoes. Well, at least they put on the tennis shoes...the thought can go down the Hall of Judgment as "What a trashy sleazeball!" Right? But wait. This person has a story, they have a life just as we all do. They have a kid or two, the alarm didn't go off on time, they got up, rolled out of bed, said "oh no! I don't have that special thing little Johnny neds for his school project today! I have to go to Walmart!" They throw on a pair of shoes and they are out the door. See - there's a story there.
The observatation is a turn here: The person is standing in line, jammas on, street shoes on and there's the thought "Wow. She had to run out and get that item for her kid. She looks frazzled but dedicated." See where I'm going here? It's an observation at this point. You might see that guy flying in and out of traffic in an irritating fashion and say to yourself, "What an a-hole." OR, you could say "Wow. He must be really late! Maybe someone is waiting for him and it's a life and death situation!"
What's the point? Well, just what I've thought about judgments for a long time.
While searching for a graphic for this post, I found this: "Every time you judge someone, you reveal a part of yourself that needs healing." Also found this:
Before you assume - learn the facts.
Before you judge - understand why.
Before you hurt someone - feel.
Before you speak - think.
That about says it all.
Conclusion: Judgments have attitude. Observations do not.