Tag Archives: judgment

In Defense of Dirty Hands

Today I had an interesting experience at a local gas station convenience store. I was on the way home from a play date at the park with my boys, and the boys were thirsty. They had both had full cups of water when we went to the park, but they played hard and drank all of their water. When Dylan asked if we could stop and get a drink, I said that we could because there was a store on the way home. At the gas station, I got the boys out of the car and went inside. We took … Continue reading →

Hard Truths

Too often in society and even in many of today’s churches, we don’t hear all that much about judgment. It’s something people don’t want to think about much less hear about. But the bible is very clear that though God is a God of love and grace, He is also a god of judgment. We cannot ignore that fact. We can try, but it won’t change the facts. Isaiah is a book that has a lot about God’s judgment. Some of it is judgment of other nations. Some concerns judgment of His own people. Isaiah 30 is a passage that … Continue reading →

When Strangers Criticize Your Business

Many of us home business owners have had a difficult client or two and have been on the receiving end of some negative comments and nastiness. We may also have had to endure some doubts from our family and friends. Additionally, it can be rough when strangers or those who are hardly involved with us at all criticize our home business operations. There is nothing like unsolicited criticism to put a person on the defensive. Most of the time, I can get by with saying “I’ll definitely take your comments under consideration” or “I appreciate the feedback.” Even though it … Continue reading →

Acknowledging what is Happening is Different from Judging

As small business owners, we come in contact with all sorts of different people. It can be a real test to our social skills and our ability to suspend judgment and deal with a diverse group of individuals. We still need to be able to evaluate what is going on, however, and make decisions in regards to our customers, clients, colleagues, etc. It might be helpful to remember that observing, reporting and acknowledging what is going on is different from being judgmental. Let me explain: If you are talking about a particularly challenging customer, it is one thing to say: … Continue reading →

There is More than One Way to Raise a Child

There is something about the experience of raising a child that can make us feel as though one day we are blundering beginners and the next day we are experts. I imagine that once one has raised a child from infancy to adulthood, one feels a sense of accomplishment, yes, and if the child turns out decently, we may also be convinced that we know “the way” and have “the answers.” I think this is one of the reasons that older people can be so steadfast in their childrearing suggestions and advice. I do think it helps us to remember, … Continue reading →

Watch out for Premature Judgment

I confess that it is in my nature to be quick-to-judge. Not just as parent, but in other aspects of my life as well. Even though I have spent a lifetime working on this challenging personal reality, I still come up against the quick and premature judgment when I am dealing with my children all the time. Learning how to take a step back and gather the facts before passing judgment can be an incredibly important element in any parent’s tool box. Parenting is such a gut-reaction and emotional endeavor for so many of us—it can be tough to be … Continue reading →

Criticism can keep Our Kids from Sharing

Many parents feel like it is their job to criticize and “direct” their children–it does not matter what the child is doing, from tying his shoes to taking out the trash, the parent is offering “constructive advice.” Too much criticism, however, can be a real barrier between parent and child; too much criticism can keep our children from wanting to talk to us, share with us, or even be around us; too much criticism can undo bonding and attachment. Think of times when you have been criticized–maybe it was by your own parents or on the job. If the criticism … Continue reading →

Who Am I to Judge?

It seems to be human nature to judge—whether we are judging other people, situations or events. As a single parent, sometime our jugmentalism comes from a place of feeling defensive or self-conscious. I know that I wrestle with catching myself judging other people and often it is somehow a reflection of my own feeling about myself. I have to remind myself that I definitely do not like being on the receiving end and feeling so judged, so who am I to judge others? I think it is incredibly typical for us as single parents to develop a thick shell and … Continue reading →

Good Judgment Vs. Being Judgmental

I wrote yesterday about “judgment”–as in good judgment and how it is important for us to know what triggers us and clouds our judgment. I realized however that for some of us, we get hitched up on the difference between judgment–the need to have good sense and a critical eye; to be able to evaluate a situation and make the best decision, and being judgmental–being too critical and passing judgment on people and situations based on our value systems and not being able to see things objectively. Being too judgmental can harm our home businesses. Running a business demands that … Continue reading →

What Clouds Your Judgment?

Even in the world of business, we all have our triggers. We might be completely clear-minded in certain areas and able to use wisdom and experience to make good decisions–but there may be other areas where our judgment can get clouded and we are not as focused and objective. I think it helps to do a little self-discovery in order to determine what those triggers are that cloud our judgment when it comes to our home businesses. This way, we can be on the look-out and make some accommodations when we lose our objectivity. As I mentioned earlier–we ALL have … Continue reading →