Challenge for RF members for 24 hours or there abouts...

[YmirGF]

My judgment is working very well. I have no interest in setting it aside for even a second.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

I couldn't make it far at all. Our two oldest kids texted me from the baseball game asking me if it was ok for their dad to grill burgers for Dylan's birthday. I had to make a judgement call.

And then I watched So You Think You Can Dance and was blown away by the performances of a few contestants (especially Alex, whoot whoot). I couldn't stop jumping up and down yelling out, "Oh man, he KILLED that! He tore it UP!!"

I never ever said I was a good Buddhist.

 

[Smoke]

I am going to try to go 24 hours without judging others either verbally or in thought. I challenge others to join in, and share your results. This includes those you work with, your kids, your parents, the news, the TV, this forum, everyone...

I'd just as soon eat ground glass.

How exactly would that work, anyway? If I can't disapprove of any person or any person's behavior, it seems that I must also give up approving of any person or any person's behavior. Either that, or resolve to approve of everything and everybody without distinction. It seems like an invitation to behave either as if one has had a lobotomy, or as if one is stoned all the time.

 

[*Anne*]

I like this exercise. Even if you can't go a full 24 hours without judging someone poorly, the effort might cut down on some negative thoughts.

 

[Smoke]

I like this exercise. Even if you can't go a full 24 hours without judging someone poorly, the effort might cut down on some negative thoughts.

But why would I want to cut down on negative thoughts? And isn't trying to go cut down on negative thoughts forcing oneself to have negative thoughts all day long, if only about one's own thoughts?

 

[MissAlice]

So basically I'm sitting here on a cool warm morning reading everyone's post and having a good laugh.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

I like this exercise. Even if you can't go a full 24 hours without judging someone poorly, the effort might cut down on some negative thoughts.

I tried it just to have a little fun. I found myself so unattached to reality that I felt oblivious.

Meh. I like connection.

 

[Just_me_Mike]

So if we must judge, what should the criteria be based on, or is that crossing the line to ask for consensus on such a thing? Do you all think our society is built upon such a consensus of judgment?

 

[*Anne*]

But why would I want to cut down on negative thoughts?

I'd like to cut down on unnecessary negative judgments of other people. I believe like anything else, the more negatively you think, the easier it becomes to think negatively (I'm speaking of snarky, catty, jump-to-conclusions thoughts about others). It becomes a well-worn path.

Maybe the opposite is true as well. The more positive thoughts you entertain, the easier it becomes to think positively.

And isn't trying to go cut down on negative thoughts forcing oneself to have negative thoughts all day long, if only about one's own thoughts?

*chuckle* No. I don't think about it that hard.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

I'd like to cut down on unnecessary negative judgments of other people. I believe like anything else, the more negatively you think, the easier it becomes to think negatively (I'm speaking of snarky, catty, jump-to-conclusions thoughts about others). It becomes a well-worn path.

Maybe the opposite is true as well. The more positive thoughts you entertain, the easier it becomes to think positively.

I know, but some people really are schmucks. I wouldn't trust certain folks I know with my kids or my money. If I have a vested interest in protecting what I'm responsible for from unnecessary damage, then I don't see a problem with making a judgement call on somebody.

If I hire somebody to work, or if I choose someone to contract, I have to discern whether or not their less-than-redeeming qualities are ones that I should put up with.

I dunno. Maybe I'm overestimating your positivity. I like people, don't get me wrong. But sometimes it's better to like them from a distance.

 

[Just_me_Mike]

I know, but some people really are schmucks. I wouldn't trust certain folks I know with my kids or my money. If I have a vested interest in protecting what I'm responsible for from unnecessary damage, then I don't see a problem with making a judgement call on somebody.

If I hire somebody to work, or if I choose someone to contract, I have to discern whether or not their less-than-redeeming qualities are ones that I should put up with.

I dunno. Maybe I'm overestimating your positivity. I like people, don't get me wrong. But sometimes it's better to like them from a distance.

Sad part is that we have created a society in which so much judging is needed.

 

[YmirGF]

I'd like to cut down on unnecessary negative judgments of other people. I believe like anything else, the more negatively you think, the easier it becomes to think negatively (I'm speaking of snarky, catty, jump-to-conclusions thoughts about others). It becomes a well-worn path.

Maybe the opposite is true as well. The more positive thoughts you entertain, the easier it becomes to think positively.


*chuckle* No. I don't think about it that hard.

I am inclined to disagree. It sounds like you are confusing "using good judgment" with "being judgmental". Being judgmental is not generally considered a positive quality, while on the other hand exercising good or sound judgment is only prudent. I openly promote the latter but discourage the former. There IS a difference. It is my judgment that those who seek to "be more positive" are simply deluding themselves and unnecessarily leaving themselves open to possibly negative consequences. But hey... that's just my 1.88 Canadian cents.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Sad part is that we have created a society in which so much judging is needed.

It was inevitable when we decided to make that society out of people.

 

[Just_me_Mike]

It was inevitable when we decided to make that society out of people.

Really? Ever spent much time in Denmark?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Really? Ever spent much time in Denmark?

No, but I've spent time in other places where I felt like people were not judgmental and everything was just swell. Of course, I realize that this has nothing to do with the actual reality of these places, but rather my perception being skewed by various factors including anecdotal experiences, expectations, and confirmation bias, among others. It sure is nice to pretend there's a utopia off somewhere over the sea where everyone works together in peace and harmony, but if there is, it certainly doesn't consist of human beings.

 

[Just_me_Mike]

but if there is, it certainly doesn't consist of human beings.

People have tried, but when humans come too close to peace, those in power fear that the most, and find a way to screw it up!

 

[*Anne*]

It sounds like you are confusing "using good judgment" with "being judgmental".

I'm not confusing anything actually. Perhaps I haven't been clear. Is anyone here assuming I mean not using any judgement at all? Why would anyone do that?!

Just to clarify, I'm talking about the snap judgements we make about people based on their clothing, the kind of car they drive, the religion they follow, the fact that they cut us off in traffic...that kind of stuff.

Following up on what Mystic said, I wouldn't trust my children with just anyone. Of course I judge people when it comes to something that important. I'd be a pretty crappy mother otherwise. But that's not the kind of judgement I'm considering when it comes to Mike's exercise.

 

[YmirGF]

Just to clarify, I'm talking about the snap judgements we make about people based on their clothing, the kind of car they drive, the religion they follow, the fact that they cut us off in traffic...that kind of stuff.

*giggle*
*snort*
Um, *Anne*, that IS being judgmental and should not be confused with exercising good judgment. My point stands.

Following up on what Mystic said, I wouldn't trust my children with just anyone. Of course I judge people when it comes to something that important. I'd be a pretty crappy mother otherwise. But that's not the kind of judgement I'm considering when it comes to Mike's exercise.

I think you are meaning something similar to when I have told people to simply be "the observer" and not react to reality. Is that close to what you are meaning here?

 

[*Anne*]

*giggle*
*snort*
Um, *Anne*, that IS being judgmental and should not be confused with exercising good judgment.

Yes. Exactly. I'm not confusing that with good judgement at all.

I think we are having trouble communicating, Ymir.

I think you are meaning something similar to when I have told people to simply be "the observer" and not react to reality. Is that close to what you are meaning here?

No, I'm talking about being judgmental. *points to first quote* Your definition of being judgmental is what I'm talking about with this exercise.

 

[YmirGF]

I think we are having trouble communicating, Ymir.

Dass viel offensichtlich ist.
Ότι πολύς είναι εμφανής.
Che molto è evidente.
Что много очевидно.

No, I'm talking about being judgmental. *points to first quote* Your definition of being judgmental is what I'm talking about with this exercise.

Indeed, poodles are wonderful animals.