Before you judge
At least, pass your test
And then prove
You’ve never failed

Before you judge
At least, learn the rules
Enough to vouch
For your vulnerabilities

Before you judge
Taste the judgment
So you know
How it feels when served

Before you judge
Another, at the least
Judge first yourself
And see the difference

It appears some of us acquired the robe of self-acclaimed judges without certificates, and have turned out so good at it. We sit exulted in our little worlds turned courts to judge the genuineness of the good and the terribleness of the bad. Despite obvious information dearth, we are proactive as we fill in the gaps with most suited assumptions and draw conclusions. Nobody and nothing escapes the scope and proficiency of our judgment. It’s not dependent on if we like them or not, if they are close to us or not, if we are barely or intimately familiar with the cases or not: it’s become a nature – to judge. And whatever any one does; we don’t compliment, we don’t communicate, we judge.

This sad fact came fully to my attention as an incident that none of us witnessed or was anywhere near the location unraveled. The incident was unpleasant, whichever way you chose to look at it. Then story spinners took it up, gave it wings and colors and it was everywhere, wearing varying appearances none of which was any less appalling. You don’t have to go out of your way to be informed, the heated discussions around the subject and those involved pierced the ears of everyone in the vicinity of those discussions which seemed to be everywhere you went. It was news, a very despondent one.

The energy this gloomy news generated was shocking. How can people find joy in spreading something so disheartening? How can anyone be excited to propagate something that brought pain and shame to all the parties involved? Some sounded like explorers who just happened upon new discoveries – there was nothing new about it. It is the same sad tale that emerges from all around the world, certainly happening all around us and now revealed in our small community. From some voices, you could tell the speakers were impressed with their arguments and presentations. Some sounded happy at something so sad.

I am yet to see good news generate as much energy and debate over a similar period of time. I am yet to see something that got almost everybody, including people who are not known for thinking, become expert analysts. That was when it dawned: the majority of us have become merchants of bad news; we energetically spread the soiling of another; we celebrate the downfall of a fellow, like it boosts our self-importance even when it obviously adds or takes nothing from us. We have become judges in the affairs of others because we all appear as saints.

One unique observation about these wonderful judges is that they are very sensitive to being docked. They feel belittled, insulted, and would fly off the handle when criticized. They can barely bear what they dish out to others continually, “How dare you judge me!” They know perfectly well when they are judged and are very vocal about their disapproval but theirs is viewed as,”… just expressing my opinion.” How so unfortunate! Yet we all to varying extent fall for this.

This event left me with enough food for thought, more than I could consume which is why I am sharing it: can you stop and think before you jump into any conclusion? Can you look at various sides to see possibilities beyond the news making round? Can you make some effort to see and share something good? Do you know that it wouldn’t hurt to reach out to even the guilty, to share a few words of encouragement? It doesn’t say you support evil. It only says that you are human, that you know that tables turn, and that you are doing unto another, as you would want done to you if you were the guilty one. Try to wear the shoes of others before you adorn the judge’s robe.

Blessings.

Glory!