It is remarkable how easily we can be persuaded out of our comfortable lives and into negative thoughts or energy around another. Take for example the “constantly negative news”. How quick we can be to judge what we know almost nothing about.

I can remember many years ago when people would ask me about something in the news which was very topical and important. It was a murder case and it was a popular pastime for people to discuss guilt or innocence. I noticed there were something I did differently than many people. I think it helped me.

I did not watch the television coverage. I had faith that my fellow human beings would come to an appropriate judgement based on all the facts as presented. It intrigued me how fascinating a subject it became to a dedicated audience. And I wondered why I am so different? What is it that keeps me from being more interested? And through these two simple questions I learned something valuable about myself.

I understand the difference between choices and judgments. I also find it easy to make choices and difficult to make judgments. I do not fear the judgments of others because in fact many judge prior to having the facts therefore it is not scary to me that they might judge me. They in fact have a feeling not an understanding.

This revelation lead me to deeper understand that I in fact seek understanding for many things in life. It makes my life richer. I do not just look at a painting I actually want to understand what the person was trying to express. The art is an expression not just a representation and so I get more from art when I learn about the artist.

That revelation lead me to the knowledge that I am also expressing and if I go within and more deeply understand myself I will in fact get more from my life. And so this is the life I live today. I am more consciously aware of who I am and therefore I am more able to love the life I live.