Skip to main content

One overpowers the other

The more one judges, the less one loves.  Honoré de Balzac

When we place ourselves in a position of judging others because they don't have the same views (political), beliefs (religious), lifestyles, careers, fashion sense, etc then we also place ourselves in a position of loving others less.  There isn't room for judgement and love.  One overpowers the other and when we give in to judging we have chosen to leave love behind.  There are times when this is more evident than others.  Times like election season, when controversial topics are highlighted because of a tragedy, etc.  
There is a huge difference between opinion and judgement.  We cross over from holding an opinion to judging when we engage in pompous behavior, mocking others who hold differing views/opinions, using foul language to get our point across, and treating others with derision because they don't agree with us.  We silently turn to judgement when we feel the need to use social media to post pictures, comments, etc that support our point of view but treat others like they are stupid because they don't agree.  None of this points to loving but all of it points to judging.  
Does any of this strike a nerve with you?  All of us have been, and may currently be, guilty of judging and not loving.  If a nerve has been struck then don't ignore it.  Pay attention to it and examine yourself.  How can you move away from judging and back toward holding a differing opinion but loving others in spite of it?  I know I have had to examine myself, over and over, in this area.  I want to be known as a person who loves, most especially when others hold different opinions than I do.  I don't want to be known as a judgmental person who doesn't have regard for others just because there is a different opinion.  It matters how I speak to others, on social media or otherwise, it matters how I treat others, on social media or otherwise, it matters how I think about others, on social media or otherwise.  All of those ways will tell others if I love more and judge less or the other way around.  I want my life to be marked by love, a love that overpowers judgment.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Call it a Day

The literal use of this phrase hails from 1838 when the phrase originally was "call it half a day" to mean leaving work early. (source) The modern use of the phrase is to indicate ending something due to false sense of accomplishment. 

More bang for your buck

This phrase was used a lot in 1953 but an earlier citation puts it at 1940 in a Metals and Plastics Publications advertisement. Read about it here . The phrase means you get more for your money.

A dime a dozen

"It's said that in the year 1796, the first U.S. dimes were produced for circulation. Hence, it would make sense for this phrase to originate sometime after." Read more here .  Today the phrase carries the meaning that something is cheap or without value if it can be lumped in with other similar or exactly-like things. It's more of an insult than anything.