A few excerpts from my book that I feel help support my previous journal entry.


"There's a fine line between being 'interested' and being arrogant, as if secretly you believe that your way is better."

"...judging others takes a great deal of energy and, without exception, pulls you away from where you want to be."

But the most important quotes I highlighted in my book are from a chapter called, "Resist the urge to criticize."

"When we judge or criticize another person, it says nothing about that person; it merely says something about our own need to be critical."

"Being critical not only solves nothing; it contributes to the anger and distrust in our world. After all, none of us likes to be criticized."

And the MOST most most important quote - which I know goes for me and maybe some other people who choose to write their thoughts here versus a facebook note because they're afraid of the comments they'll receive and the opinions of other people. But let's face it - while we're entitled to our own opinions ( and yes I'm guilty of it, too ) it doesn't matter how hard we try to avoid the comments of others and we may even think that they need permission to give their two cents on how we feel but we feel that way for a reason.

"If, however, you take a moment to observe how you actually feel immediately after you criticize someone, you'll notice that you will feel a little deflated and ashamed, almost like you're the one who has been attacked. The reason this is true is that when we criticize, it's a statement to the world and to ourselves, 'I have a need to be critical.' This isn't something we are usually proud to admit."

I read that paragraph and it all made sense. Why I would come here to write things about my boyfriend just so he couldn't see. Or why I would write things about my boss here or anyone who was pissing me off - because deep down, I'm ashamed. I'm ashamed at the fact that I'm not even perfect and here I am ripping into someone else who's not perfect either. That I am being so judgmental when honestly, I don't have the God given right to be. I neglected to put myself in that person's shoes, to feel how they would feel if they read what I wrote but subconsciously I knew, and I was ashamed. I knew what it said about me, but I found ways to justify my judgments within my writing.

We're never guaranteed tomorrow, and I would hate that if I did die that people would be at my grave and only have negative things to say about me. However, they'd have those negative things to say because I gave them fuel to, and now that I understand why I'd write certain things here and certain things on facebook in which case limiting access to who could see what, my goal is to stop criticizing. It won't happen overnight and it's gonna take some time, but I'm not perfect and neither are you. Your path may be greener but I might be content with mine, so who are you or anyone to say that I'm miserable or I'm not living my life the way I should. There are NO standards of how life should be lived, only what WE as an individual consider desirable and undesirable.

Just some food for thought. (: Meanwhile, I really should be in bed, I'm opening the store in five and a half hours. =X