Are we too quick to judge?

Don’t judge others based on superficial observations. | Photo credit: Getty Images

AI was mindlessly scrolling through my Instagram feed the other day when a short video caught my attention—a simple but touching story that lingered in my thoughts long after I closed the app. It told the story of a boy holding two apples, a seemingly harmless moment that carries a deep message about human nature.

In this story, the boy’s father asked for an apple and was upset because the child immediately took a bite of each one. Confused and upset by what he perceived as selfishness, the father scolded his son, but received an unexpected explanation. The boy said that he bit into each apple to determine which one was sweeter, intending to offer his father the tastier one.

This simple story struck a chord, serving as a powerful reminder of our tendency to quickly judge others based on superficial observations. How often do we, like the father in this story, jump to conclusions without considering the full context or intentions behind someone’s actions? It is a profound realization that encourages us to pause and re-evaluate our own judgmental tendencies.

Life could become much smoother and our interactions more harmonious if we preferred quick conclusions to thinking based on empathy and understanding. Instead of rushing to judge or criticize, what if we took a moment to breathe, consider the circumstances, and assume good intentions?

In the age of instant gratification, our lives have become a whirlwind of hasty expectations. From getting a hot pizza delivered quickly to binge-watching our favorite shows, we’re used to having our wishes fulfilled in the blink of an eye. But have we sacrificed the virtue of patience in our quest for efficiency?

Think about how we communicate in the digital age: a text that goes unanswered for just a few minutes can provoke accusations of ghosting, whereas our ancestors waited patiently for weeks or even months for email responses. The pace of modern life leaves us breathless and we are constantly looking for the next quick fix to satisfy our restless mind. We’ve become accustomed to small amounts of entertainment, scrolling through endless streams of content with fleeting attention spans. We’ve learned to form judgments quickly and eschew a three-hour movie or a long novel in favor of short clips and abbreviated captions.

In the rush of modern times, let us remember the age-old wisdom: be fast, but not impatient; value time, but not at the expense of patience. By developing patience, we develop resilience, empathy, and a deeper understanding of this beautiful journey called life.

Let’s pause for a moment and reflect on the lessons we’ve learned. In a world that moves at great speed, it is all too easy to be tempted by impatience and quick judgments. However, in the midst of chaos there is an opportunity to develop resilience and empathy—to embrace the virtues of patience and understanding.

Let us strive to approach every encounter with an open heart and a willingness to look beyond the surface—recognize the humanity in others and extend a hand of empathy before rushing to judgment. While respecting our own needs and boundaries, let’s not lose sight of the importance of compassion and connection. True self-love is not about selfishness, but about the ability to recognize our interconnectedness and embrace the richness of human experience.

So, as we journey forward, let us carry with us the wisdom we have acquired—the knowledge that in patience we find strength; in empathy we find understanding; and in love we find the essence of our common humanity.

[email protected]