Is It Good Or Bad?
We took a motorcycle ride on a beautiful evening. I noticed trees, some nice looking, others ugly. I saw foliage and birds, labeling everything. Crane – good, itch on my nose – bad, wind – bad, butterfly – good, road construction – bad, blue skies – good. When I really noticed my thoughts, it wore me out. All that labeling. All that deciding whether something was good or bad.
We do that all the time.
So I tried to turn off my judging and labeling brain. Do you know how hard it is to see a tree and not think tree? Or see a house and not think house?
I tried to expand my thoughts so I was bringing in sensory experiences without the labels. The trees started being in my vision with their multi-dimensional nature and all their subtle colors and different shapes. No longer was I thinking whether a tree was pretty or not. I experienced them, not judged them.
At one point when we hit some unpaved sections of road, I felt the tension of thinking that this was bad. Letting that thought go so I could notice what was happening is when I found myself enjoying that we slowed down and I could see the river better.
I felt more relaxed as I stopped the judging. My mind slowed down and quit the non-stop broadcast.
We judge not only experiences as good or bad (as if we could really know that), but people. Without knowing stories or backgrounds. We pigeon-hole them so fast. And we use confirmation bias to keep thinking about that person (political party, religion, sports team, celebrity) the same way.
I know I am extremely tired of people “calling out” other people on social media. When they don’t know what really happened. When it’s not our job to police other people’s opinions. When people are de-humanized or assigned motives as if other people can read their hearts and minds.
People are also multi-dimensional, too. And if you talk to them, before labeling them you will find they are interesting. You can learn from diverse opinions. You may find you are more alike than you think. Just as trees are more interesting if you really look and experience rather than labeling good or bad.
We all need to be discerning. But, once in awhile try to let go of the thought process that is labeling and judging. Free yourself to find that place of experience instead of inner commentating.
Though I have to admit, when we past that farm on the way home I could not find a neutral notion of that smell.
Hi Beth
Love getting your emails.
I have been battling I’ll health the last 3 years. An incurable Auto Immune Disease. I had a second Stem Cell Transplant in May. God is good and one awful symptom (bleeding stomach lining ) has been in check since.
Looking after my house and garden is a challenge.
I am thinking of moving. Either to an Apartment still in Canberra Australia or to the north coast where winter is warmer.
Getting the house ready to sell is a major job if you are well let alone unwell! I just stress every time I think about the options.
I was wondering if you have an article in archives about getting ready to sell that may be of help?
We have already started the bushfire season! A Fire just 7 kms from Canberra. We lost nearly 500 homes in a firestorm 15 years ago. Awful day. Australia is in a terrible drought. Pray for rain. Thanks Beth. Jan
Hi Jan, I am sorry to hear about the drought. I will pray for rain.
Here are some posts that might be helpful:
https://www.mysimplerlife.com/should-you-be-better-by-now
https://www.mysimplerlife.com/decluttering-for-a-move
https://www.mysimplerlife.com/decluttering-and-moving