Cat In The Bed--Observation, Judgment & Criticism

  In pondering about observation, judgment, criticism and I came up with the "cat in the bed" idea.  These are all my own ideas.  I love my own cat, but I don't care for her in or on my bed and she knows that so doesn't even try.

Informed Observation--The cat is in my bed. I can see her there and hear her purring. There are cat hairs on the covers.

Sometimes what we observe, may not be what is there.  For example, our black cat might lay on a dark blanket and not be noticed.

Discernment--The cat is sleeping in my bed. I understand  her desire to be comfortable.  It gives me an insight into what cats like. I can move her to her own bed if I choose, but I will be kind. 

 The noun discernment describes a wise way of judging between things, or a particularly perceptive way of seeing things. The quality of being able to comprehend what is obscure— the ability to choose between what is true and right and what is false and wrong. 

Judgment--It is bad that the cat is in my bed or is it good that the cat is in the bed?--  Judgment that we need to be wary of includes thoughts such as: "How arrogant!  or Needy or Selfish or Stupid."   "They must be spiritually superior (or inferior) to me."  "Their house or yard is so messy?" "They must be bad parents if their child is so wayward."  "He should be doing this or that."  "That person is sooo judgmental!"

This could be "Yay, Muggle!  for capturing the 2nd generation of the rabbits destroying our garden!  OR, it could be, "Oh, no, poor baby bunnies...naughty Muggle."

“We necessarily make judgments daily. We have to in order to function in life. However, when it comes to deciding the righteousness of another, I leave it entirely to the Lord. I sustain others in what they are asked to do, without making it my responsibility to decide whether God approves of them or not. If they are difficult for me to abide, then I pray for my attitude to soften. If I am told they are not right before God, I ask that He do something about them.  There are just too many things in my own life, under my control, which I have yet to master. That is where I fight daily. Inside my own bounds."  Denver Snuffer, March 14,2010, in a comment on a post called "Judgment."

"We do 'judge' one another because we must. But the judgment should err on the side of forgiving. It should err in favor of trusting motives to be pure, and intent to be good. We should be generous with our gratitude, evaluations and suppositions. When we know someone is misbehaving, we should make allowances for their shortcomings, forgive them before they ask, and impute no retribution because of their offensive conduct.

This does not make us better than another, it makes us whole. It allows the Lord to forgive us for our own, much greater offenses against Him. For when we are generous, we merit His Divine generosity. It is how we are healed. It is the means for our own salvation. Instead of thinking ourselves better than an offender, we should look upon them with gratitude for they provide the means to obtain salvation– provided we give them forgiveness from all their offenses. This is why we should rejoice and be exceedingly glad. (3 Nephi 12: 10-12.) They enable us to obtain salvation by despitefully using us, as long as we measure them by the same standard that allows God to forgive us."  Denver Snuffer, Podcast #114, Forgiving Others

 Is an opinion a judgment? If it’s my opinion that my cat not be in my bed.  Is that a judgment?  

What about if I think it is bad that so and so sleeps with their dog or cat?

 How can we remove or transform judgmental thoughts?

Is accusing someone of being judgmental, a judgment? Or perhaps more like a criticism?  (Or maybe an accusation?)

What is the difference between criticism and accusing? Have you ever been accused of something…especially unjustly?  How about being accused of “making” someone feel discouraged, depressed, worthless, foolish or stupid, hated?  Are other people’s feelings your responsibility?  What if you never used any of those words and only intention was loving and helping them?  But the person felt that way anyway?

Have you ever accused someone?  Especially based on an incorrect perception? 

 Criticism--It is so disgusting that the cat is in a bed. Cat hairs all over, how dirty.  How can the owner allow that? The cat shouldn't be there, she should be outside or in the barn catching mice.

Criticism is "to find fault with openly," It is the expression of disapproval based on perceived faults or mistakes. 

 Is there such a thing as “constructive criticism”? (as opposed to destructive) that is helping to improve; promoting further development or advancement.  Being able to take feedback is an important facet of our Self Awareness. 

Condemnation-- It is so wrong, evil and horrible that the cat is in that bed. the owner should throw that cat outside where she belongs and maybe let her stay in the cold or maybe starve her so she learns a lesson.

Condemnation is the expression of very strong disapproval; censure.  Condemnation comes from the verb condemn, "to strongly disapprove." 

You might criticize something that you still think is worthwhile, but if you express condemnation, that's laying a heavy moral blame.  

"Don't condemn ANYONE, including Church of Satan, it's not your right to judge.  Only Father and messengers can judge.”