Judgmental Influence

Those who commit an act of superiority cause others to feel judged. To avoid being judged and judging others, we must treat everybody as an equal; not as a superior or an apprentice, but as an equal. We must respect each other's individual existence and understand that our example -- not our authority, persuasion, popularity, or command but our example -- is the only influence we have over anyone.

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    • You’re right, Jill. When we ask ourselves if we’re good enough, we’re automatically comparing ourselves to others and judging both ourselves and them. By bringing ourselves, and everybody else, to a level playing field, those thoughts have no place to congregate.

  1. I like this one. It’s a lesson I learned in many cafe style jobs, working both under and over people. It’s easy to let it get to your head both ways, but in the end each of us are just doing our jobs.

    • It’s funny you should mention cafe style jobs, Ali.

      I’m sitting in a cafe right now and just before replying to these comments I was looking at the barista and found myself beginning to wonder how he could work such a job. I unknowingly began judging him.

      Then I stopped myself and put myself in his shoes. Suddenly I could feel the satisfaction he might feel in serving others, in creating something for them to enjoy.

      It was a humbling experience and it reminded me how important it is not to judge others by what they do, but instead to understand why they do it.