When you judge another, you are actually judging yourself. It is that funny way that when you point one finger at someone else, four are left pointing back at you. When you accept yourself, you will find it much easier and more comfortable to accept others.
I was on a trip in Manhattan and was out strolling local boutiques in Soho. I had gotten in late morning and by midafternoon I was famished. I found an outdoor café to enjoy lunch and began to people watch. It was fascinating! The more I watched, the more I realized that we should rename that pastime, "people judging."
While I certainly made up stories about their lives, I found myself continually comparing them to myself, to friends, to people I knew. I was judging them and then began the ridiculous sequel to that of judging and critiquing myself. Eventually, I let go and saw it as a circus of humanity and embraced the entertainment in it, but not before having made a long list of things of judgments about complete strangers and myself.
Self acceptance is a journey with many twists and turns along the way. We began life fully accepting until we take on the judgments of the world around us and begin to reject ourselves. Let go of the judgments you have picked up and discover that place of whole hearted acceptance.
