Chapter 1: The Eye-Opener

We often stand in our own way when pursuing a life filled with abundance.

Photo by Elimende Inagella on Unsplash

For much of my life, I’ve been oblivious to a significant error in my thinking, one that only recently came to light. Although I pride myself on being open-minded in some areas, I have a tendency to be quick to judge in others. It seems my humor sometimes demands that others possess a thick skin.

There exists a crucial distinction between discernment and outright judgment. Sadly, many of us often disguise our judgmental nature as “wisdom.” Perhaps I’m the only one who feels this way.

For example, I would watch cringe-worthy videos and criticize the creators. Yet, many of these individuals lead harmless lives and contribute nothing negative to society. In reality, cringe content pales in comparison to the actual issues plaguing our world today.

Recently, I decided to alter this behavior. When I find myself drawn into negative discussions or judgmental gatherings, I consciously choose not to engage. Each day, I’m training my mind to think differently.

But why the shift? What prompted this realization? Why this newfound honesty about my past behavior?

It all began a few months ago when I met someone truly special. He possesses a variety of quirks—those very traits I used to ridicule in others. Ironically, my boyfriend shares similar characteristics, yet I no longer find them amusing or cringe-inducing. Instead, I see his genuine kindness shining through.

He communicates in broken English, but the sincerity of his words reflects the purity of his spirit. I recall a time in college when my friends and I would mock poor grammar and odd pronunciations for laughs and inside jokes. If those same friends could see who I’m with now, they would be astonished by my choice.

Reflecting on this, I recognize that I’ve been complicit in a toxic culture that ridicules others for superficial reasons. It angers me to think of how he might be judged and belittled by society for something as trivial as his language skills—skills that he doesn’t even need in his daily life. This judgment stems from outdated societal norms, rooted in the colonial history of India.

I assist him in improving his English every day; he desires to learn and is making progress. However, I genuinely don’t care if he never masters “perfect” English. It’s amusing how I once viewed poor spelling and grammar as deal-breakers. Now, I see how shallow I was for assigning so much importance to what should merely be a tool for communication, rather than a superficial trait to gain social approval.

So, what’s the takeaway? Avoid hasty judgments about others based solely on appearances. Look past your biases and allow people the opportunity to surprise you. When you mock or shame something, you may find it manifesting in your own life as a lesson from the Universe.

Don’t be a narrow-minded individual, or you might miss out on life’s most incredible gifts—like the remarkable person I’ve discovered.

Chapter 2: Insights from Experience

This video titled "The One Mistake I'll Never Make Again" offers an exploration of personal growth and the realizations that come from self-reflection.

The second video, "20 Worst Mistakes to NEVER Make," outlines common pitfalls that can hinder our personal development and how to avoid them.