Opportunity for Growth Intwined in Differences....
Author: Pauline Woodards-Respress
When we have expectations of others it tends to keep us in a state of disappointment.We have a standard that we silently measure from-- in our heads, and when people do not perform to that standard we become disillusioned or disappointed.
How can we set a standard for another adult human being? Every human being has the God given right to perform according to their on standard, don't they? Do I have the right to judge your standard? and do you have the right to judge my standard? If I am judging your standard of living doesnt that make me judgemental? If I am using my standard to measure your standard, is that fair to you?
This is the litmus test that I use to stop myself from imposing my expectations on others.I tend to believe that my standards are the only standards,but when I allow myself to step back and merely receive your standards.I may even learn something, I may even adjust my own standards, because to quote from a Socratic verse--I am then operating from a state of " knowing nothing" and allowing myself to accept your way of thinking, free from judgement.I am no longer disappointed but excited to learn something new,a different perspective.
We can always receive a new way of thinking and then choose to agree to disagree, it is OK to disagree, but we must at least allow ourselves to receive and process the new information.We must try to reserve all judging for God and not STOP ourselves from growing through receiving differing opinions than our own.
Growth and maturity come when we open our minds to people and situations that are different than we are.Sometimes God will place the very opposite of us in our lives, so that you can become more of who we are and what we are supposed to be!
So this week ladies lie down your expectations and be slow to judge those that are different than you, because an opportunity to grow could be intwined in the differences.
Go Forth and Do Great Things!
Kind Regards,
Pauline
When we have expectations of others it tends to keep us in a state of disappointment.We have a standard that we silently measure from-- in our heads, and when people do not perform to that standard we become disillusioned or disappointed.
How can we set a standard for another adult human being? Every human being has the God given right to perform according to their on standard, don't they? Do I have the right to judge your standard? and do you have the right to judge my standard? If I am judging your standard of living doesnt that make me judgemental? If I am using my standard to measure your standard, is that fair to you?This is the litmus test that I use to stop myself from imposing my expectations on others.I tend to believe that my standards are the only standards,but when I allow myself to step back and merely receive your standards.I may even learn something, I may even adjust my own standards, because to quote from a Socratic verse--I am then operating from a state of " knowing nothing" and allowing myself to accept your way of thinking, free from judgement.I am no longer disappointed but excited to learn something new,a different perspective.
We can always receive a new way of thinking and then choose to agree to disagree, it is OK to disagree, but we must at least allow ourselves to receive and process the new information.We must try to reserve all judging for God and not STOP ourselves from growing through receiving differing opinions than our own.
Growth and maturity come when we open our minds to people and situations that are different than we are.Sometimes God will place the very opposite of us in our lives, so that you can become more of who we are and what we are supposed to be!
So this week ladies lie down your expectations and be slow to judge those that are different than you, because an opportunity to grow could be intwined in the differences.
Go Forth and Do Great Things!
Kind Regards,
Pauline
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