Opinion and Judgment

For your consideration…

I have to say, finding a picture to match today’s message was more difficult than I expected. Mostly it was because they didn’t agree with the message. For the most part “opinion and judgment” were used interchangeably. Today’s message says they are different.

We form opinions because we don’t have all of the facts. We don’t know everything. We form opinions based on our past experiences, education, upbringing, etc. All these things create the lens through which we see life. We form opinions from them and our opinions in turn widen the lens we see life through.

Opinions are tools we modify to help us live our lives. Our opinions are not fact They are neither good nor bad, right or wrong. They are just what we have to work with as we see life at this moment. They may or may not change with time and experience.

Our message today tells us that judgment is different. Judgment is when we declare our opinions as fact and use them to measure others’ opinions and behavior. Judgment is when we use our opinions as a “measuring stick.” This does not sure us or others well.

I love this quote by the Dalai Lama. “Love is the absence of judgment.”

That is the HOPE. And so it is.

Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take…

-Affirm…“I am loved.”

-Meditate/pray…ask…”What is my next step for my highest good and the  highest good of all?”

-Drink lots of water.

-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths.

–Remember opinions and judgments are not interchangeable.

What made me smile yesterday…

-A beautiful day.

-Catching up with both my girls.

-Lunch with Mary, Don, AJ, and Tripp.

-A good book.

Love, Blessings, and Gratitude,

Rev. Chris