Too often I judge not another person’s flaws, but the reflection of my own imperfections seen in someone else. I use judgement as armor to protect myself or as a shield to hide behind. But when my mind is clouded with judgement there isn’t room for compassion, and, many times, the one most in need of compassion is me.
When I’m tempted to judge I need to choose instead to embrace love. I don’t make excuses for bad behavior (mine or others), but I can choose to show mercy over judgement. And I have to show mercy to myself before I can extend it to another.
Today, choose to embrace mercy and then extend it to someone else.