MindfulnessSample

Being non-judgemental 

Mindfulness is a way of life that emerges between ages 4 to 6. We all have the capacity to practice this awareness, empathy and compassion. It is when Josh says or thinks, “maybe Friederike does not want to play with me because she is tired,” instead of saying, “she does not want to play with me because she is mean, or because nobody likes me.” In this example, Josh did not engage in negative self-talk and he did not judge Friederike. That is how mindfulness begins in early childhood.

This ability can be strengthened by mindful parents. Parents who do not shame or condemn their children and who do not speak ill of people enhance their children’s capacity to practice mindfulness. Consequently, they raise compassionate children with a positive sense of self and of who they are in God's sight. I invite you to practice being compassionate with your children; do not be judgemental or shame them, and do not speak ill of people. 

Our children are our disciples. One of our greatest legacies would be passing down our faith to our children, and a capacity for compassion. 

As adults, we can practice compassion by giving others the benefit of the doubt and not meditating on lies. As Christians, we can see both natural and spiritual perspectives about a situation, and we can understand that people's attitudes toward us do not necessarily reflect who we are. 

This prevents us from internalizing negative words spoken to or about us, and from repeating the negative actions of others. It makes it easier to forgive because we understand that the enemy may be at work. Forgive others as you, yourself, have been forgiven. Practice being non-judgmental by being kind and extending compassion. Your ability to do this will reflect the mercy of God to others. 

Do not judge, or you too will be judged, or in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for extending grace and mercy towards me daily. Teach me to extend grace to myself and those around me, in Jesus' name.