It’s a human nature to judge. We all do it.

We judge others, we judge ourselves.

When we judge and criticize others, we get angry and disappointed with them. When we judge and criticize ourselves, we feel guilty and ashamed.

Often, we blame others for something we struggle with ourselves. For instance, when you are all motivated to exercise and eat healthy you might judge someone who isn’t. You forget that just a few weeks ago, you were struggling just like them. You judge your friend for being too controlling or trying to fix their children or partner. Wasn’t it just last night when you were in somebody’s face trying to tell them how they should be?

When it comes to ourselves, we tend to forget our attributes, successes, achievements and to focus on what we haven’t done, what we could have done better. We judge and criticize ourselves and the result is that we beat ourselves up.

We are out of balance.

What can we do?

Evaluate objectively ? instead of judging and criticizing.

It is not going to change the facts but it is defiantly going to change your reaction.

If you step back, get into an observer mode and evaluate the situation (yours or others) objectively, you will not lose your power over what happened. Instead, you will manage your emotions, cope with whatever happened in a balanced way and move forward with your life.

The Bottom line: Judging and criticizing create and spread negativity. Step back, observe and evaluate.

Ask: What might be a reason I (or they) behave like that and how can I be compassionate?

Affirm: I let go of judging and criticizing, I evaluate objectively and I’m free.