Salud
JUDGMENT
BY ANGELICA GAVALDON
As you have all noticed this year , I am more focused on writing articles about mental health . I have committed myself to live a healthier life and since exercise comes naturally to me , I decided to devote just as much time , or more , to my spiritual life . I have always gravitated to more positive people and see the glass half full , rather than half empty , but still , something inside of me kept pulling me to a greater need ; to have a deeper sense of purpose and to live a more meaningful life . So far it has been an eye-opening experience and an amazing journey . To help others on this journey , I want to share one of the biggest obstacles that keep us from being the most mentally productive and clear-headed we can be .
Judgment .
We all have something to say about everything , we put labels on people , criticize the world , politics , the viruses , the vaccines , the system , the family , the neighbor , the friend … it never stops . We even judge ourselves ; we tear ourselves apart with harsh criticism and what we can do better or worse . We give opinions thinking we know best , and we become arrogant without even noticing how we are being perceived .
Often , we do not realize that by doing this , we are creating negativity and are not bringing any good to the situation . Quite the opposite , we create more anxiety for ourselves and we put ourselves in a negative state of mind . When we enter a negative state of mind , it causes us more stress - which only weakens our immune system and overall health - and leaves us with a sense of emptiness . We even become angrier and more
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resentful . But how do we overcome this deeply ingrained part of our human nature ?
One of the easiest ways is to become more self-aware . When we become conscious of our thoughts , we can take control of what we are going to say or do . We can ask where the thought is coming from and stop ourselves from feeding into it .
Avoid judgmental people and surround yourself with positivity .
This is a hard one because sometimes people we truly love may be feeding poison to our soul . But there is a simple way to fix this : creating boundaries and setting limits . Sometimes we cannot remove ourselves physically , but we can stop participating in conversations that do not serve any real purpose . We do not need to have a response to what the others say , and we can lovingly share that we are committed to living in love and no longer interested in judgment . If the person loves you , they will hopefully respect your boundaries . However , if they do not , it is ok because respect comes from within and nobody else .
My inner purpose is to be at peace . So , anything I think , say , or surround myself with , I ask if it is bringing me peace . I selfcheck and go from there , and it is a discipline that can be easily learned . Just like anything else , it will not happen overnight , but if you want to see a change , you can do it . Just remember , you are the only one with the power to make it happen .
One last thing , I began to realize that everything I judge is a projection of me . I cannot see what I do not carry inside of me . Before I judge the world , I will take a deep look at myself and see what needs to change . By seeing ourselves and this amazing world we live in from a different angle , we become happier , we become kinder , and we become free !