We are awesome at projecting our beliefs on others. It’s not intentional, it’s just how our minds work. We see something and create a story or judgment about it.
For example, the slow driver holding up the flow of traffic is undoubtedly an idiot (or simply selfish) for delaying your progress. Does that sound familiar?
We walk around with a million different judgments about others, even if that judgment is far from reality. Our projection of beliefs is a double-edged sword. It can be loving and supportive—or it can be damning and critical, depending on how we look at things.
Last weekend, we were in New York City meeting friends for dinner. This was our first time in the city since COVID started. As we walked to the restaurant, there were homeless people lining the sidewalk against the buildings, arranging cardboard boxes in which to sleep. It was painful to see.
One could take in this sight and blame the system that allowed them to be homeless. Or they might blame the unfortunate people suffering on that rainy chilly evening. But when we allow our unexamined or ill-considered judgments to rule our thinking, we miss the opportunity to look at life through a wider lens.
Think about those who judge people who are older as without value, without purpose and without importance in the world. Is it true? Of course not, but it doesn’t stop those who feel that way without really knowing.
Battling our instinct to judge others is good work; not easy, but important.
