The Chains of Judgment

Bondage By Judgment
When someone has hurt us, or someone we love, it’s easy to judge that person as bad, mean, or even evil. This may be a normal reaction, but it is not a healthy one. Our judgment of others binds us to them with invisible chains that time and distance cannot break. Those chains are built with anger, resentment, regret, blame, and fear. These are very powerful emotions that can eat away at us from the inside out.

As we make an effort to become more peaceful, joyful, and free, we know that we must let go of judgment; but how? Fighting against anything only ties it more tightly to us. Telling ourselves not to do a thing makes us think of it even more. Negative feelings cannot be changed by thinking about negative feelings. The key is conscious replacement of what we think and feel.

In order to free ourselves of the chains of judgment, and other negative states of heart and mind, we must turn our attention to that which heals. Unconditional love is the highest state we can reach for, but it may be difficult for most of us to attain right away. There are steps we can take to get there that will heal us along the way. Gratitude is a great place to start. The more we focus on what we are grateful for, the less we will think of what disturbs us. Joy is a healthy place to be and the best place to create from and gratitude can get us to joy.

Another benefit of gratitude is the increase in our awareness of things to be grateful for. By giving thanks, our attention is drawn to more and more of the things that bless our life. As our ability to appreciate increases, our ability to forgive and let go of what does not bless us also increases. Joy, love, and gratitude become our natural state. We begin to feel freer and lighter because we have stopped dwelling on and holding onto perceived injustices against us. The chains of judgment will fall away as we neglect them in favor of seeking out the good in all things.

Turn away from that which hurts you, limits you, and keeps you in bondage. Turn instead to light, to joy, to beauty, and to love. Keep your heart in gratitude and you will be free.