‘Listen – don’t judge’

‘Listen – don’t judge’

Someone said this to me the other day, and it has been playing in my head ever since.

It was very good advice, not just because I aspire to become a journalist one day, but it’s also something I can and should use in life.

How many of us have had a conversation with someone, with having that person confide in us things that they would never tell anyone else, and not judge them?? Do we realize that the reason they are telling us their deep dark secrets is probably because they trust us and consider us to be a good friend?? And probably one way we can repay that trust is to not judge them or their decisions, and of course keep it to ourselves.

Is there a difference between judging and having an opinion?? I think so, a fine one, but yes there is- RESPECT. If we can respect someone’s choice and not ridicule it, there lies the difference. We cannot judge anyone for the way they think, for not having to live in the same circumstances; we may not understand their reasons.

I consider myself to be open and understanding, but I must confess, looking back now, I may have been guilty of crossing that fine line. A bigger mistake than that would be to actually continue to do so after I have realized it.