by Kelly Adolph

Created on: June 30, 2010   Last Updated: July 23, 2010

A friend recently shared an article with me from the Huffington Post... "Are you Criticizing, Evaluating or Judging"

Pretty interesting article... lots of opinions in the comment section, some I agree with others... I'm not so sure of...but great opinions none the less...What struck me on this, is that maybe about 2 weeks ago a very good friend of mine and I had a discussion regarding this.  It seemed to me that although criticism is sometimes warranted and needed in certain situations.. He always struck me as over critical, to the point of judging. Then I thought...isn't that one and the same.

While I am one that typically have no issue with constructive criticism, when it turns to I suppose a form of constant complaint, that to me emits negative vibes, judgment. You're not trying to help the object of your constant criticism, you are either consciously or subconsciously tearing them down.  Saying to them that who they are, or how they live their life is right because it isn't conducive to who you are or how you live yours.  

The strongest person, the most in tune with themselves individual, when constantly judged, will begin to feel the effects of this.  I'm a firm believer that when you care for a person, or their well being you will gather all the facts and speak on them prior to imposing simply your opinion on what is right or wrong.  None of us are born with all the answers to life and how to live.  Not one of us is born with the ability to completely discern this. Who says that the way one person was raised is necessarily the right way for all people to be raised or raise their families?  Who says that the appearance of one person or mannerisms of one person is the right appearance or mannerisms for all people?  If you are forming your criticism solely based off of your own opinion, how is that helpful to another?  

There are certain cut and dry things that you can criticize another on... factually witnessing them doing this or that wrong.  But I truly don't believe any of us honestly have the right to pass judgement on another person under any circumstances.  The journey you've taken to this point, may have and most likely was very different than the journey of another.  So how do you criticize someone for not being at the same point today as you are?

Example:  If there is a child, raised and reared by both parents, grandparents, etc.  The village actually raised this child.  Constantly

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