Delay Judgment and Live More Joyfully!

By: Dr. Synesio Lyra, Jr.

The unfortunate tendency of so many people, is in not withholding judgment but, rather, jumping into conclusions, rushing into condemnation, either of people or situations, long before all

the facts are in.

Awareness of this longstanding human proclivity may be among the reasons which led Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidic Judaism in the mid 18th century, to warn, “Let us fall into the hands of the Lord but let us not into the hands of man.” Indeed, God is the only One who can judge accurately any individual with the right judgment.

Many years ago I found a plaque with an interesting inscription. It said: “It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt.” How sadly true it is that so many are too quick in making pronouncements long before they know an issue sufficiently, or have all the necessary data for their conclusions. My advice to such persons is, when you jump into something with both feet, be sure one foot doesn’t go into your mouth! And yet, such is the picture presented by anyone who is too swift in reaching a premature verdict!

If you look for faults in others, you shall surely find them. Likewise, if you search for good in others, it will be there as well. Blaming others for your own sloth or stupidity will never solve any problem; instead, it may ignite a flame where no fire was previously existent.

No relationship between two persons will ever develop or thrive if it is used as a platform to vent the anger and frustration of one individual, on account of unfounded suspicions, and a premature judgmental spirit.

People who believe themselves as always right, will never attract nor develop long-lasting relationships; their impact is minimal or nil! If you so readily question something somebody else says or does, it’s only fair that you also doubt your own conclusions!

Any negative emotions you choose to carry, such as grudges, resentments, an unforgiving spirit, will adversely affect your human relationships, poisoning the stream flowing toward others. You can never justify doing anything wrong just because you do many other things right! It’s imperative you erase your suspicions quickly once you find them to be baseless! Don’t insist on promoting discord!

In times of difficulty, or in days of relative peace, you’d better get out of your selves, away from mediocre solutions, giving no heed to easy, negative prescriptions. In this life one will always need to work hard at making things better, because by nature they tend to go the wrong way, bringing damage to many!

Attempt diligently to fulfill reasonable expectations, and strive to be the mature individual you can gradually become! Most of the impediments on the road of life are of your own creation. As such, you can also undo them, and provide positive outlets and meaningful pathways leading you to better destinations which are possible for you to attain!