Letting go of judgment simplifies life and enhances enjoyment.
Throughout my career, I have spent considerable time working and traveling in China. Initially, I felt overwhelmed by all the differences around me. The food, dining customs, and social interactions were worlds apart from what I knew. It was challenging to adapt.
In the beginning, I was under constant mental strain. I tried to interpret everything I saw. I compared new experiences to my existing beliefs and values, trying to slam everything into my own framework of understanding. This was exhausting.
One day, while in a taxi in Nanjing, I realized I was mentally drained. I kept falling asleep, overwhelmed by the effort of processing all the differences. That moment sparked a change. I decided to stop evaluating and assessing everything I encountered.
From that day forward, I chose to savor each experience. I became more present and engaged. Whenever I found myself slipping into judgment, I turned my thoughts around. Instead of thinking, "That's wrong or strange," I would say, "Wow, that's so different!" This shift replaced judgment with curiosity.
As I stopped wasting energy on judgment, my imagination began to flourish. Curiosity replaced negativity. My work in China transformed into something exciting and enjoyable. I found more courage to embrace the unknown.
Since then, I have continued practicing a non-judgmental approach to the world. This has led to a significant reduction in my internal struggles. I no longer feel compelled to fight against differences. Instead, I observe and wonder about them.
We live in a world filled with sources of anxiety. A glance at a newspaper often highlights this. I do not need to agree with everyone. Letting others be themselves is liberating. They will do what they want, whether I agree or not.
I can avoid creating conflicts within myself that won’t change anything in the greater world. Instead, I can respond differently. When faced with something unfamiliar, I can think, "Wow, that's really different!" This mindset frees me from the need to protect myself. I can simply acknowledge the diversity around me.
When we stop judging, we unlock the freedom to explore and think clearly. We no longer drown in a flood of negative emotions. Instead of feeling fearful, we can experience a sense of control and presence, even when faced with challenges.
In rough waters, we stand steady instead of sinking. We learn to appreciate life’s diversity rather than resist it. Letting go of judgment allows us to embrace the world, leading to a more fulfilling and enjoyable life.