I hear the names of popular bands and am often distracted by what seems to be odd sounding names. Without listening to the music of these groups, I've wrongly concluded that I might not like their form of music. But, like most things I've judged without taking time to actually learn, I later found that I was dead wrong. I credit Stephen Colbert for introducing me to Radiohead.
These days I've been recalling times I've wrongly judged someone or something without really looking into it. So many times when I didn't even admit to myself that I just didn't know. So many times that I wasn't kind or wasn't my best self. I have regrets, and certainly have no way to undo what I did. I wish now that I could find a way to apologize to the people I've hurt. But since many of the incidents occurred 30, 40, or 50+ years ago it would be hard.
I don't know where these people are of if they are even still alive. I don't know that even if I found them, if they would remember the incident. Or if I were to bring it up, whether it might cause further pain. I don't even know if those people I think I may have harmed were actually hurt by what I did, or my own inner judge is just acting up.
No, I don't know if there is any way to rectify my actions. All I know is that I wish that I had always chosen love over fear, kindness over any sort of perceived need for self protection. All I know is that I wish I could say I had always chosen love and kindness and humility over ego, but of course I cannot. I didn't even then understand what humility meant. I am still learning this concept.
I guess that all I can do now, is to put these people in my heart and wish them peace and love and happiness. I can resolve in the future to chose love and kindness and forgiveness. And, I can choose not to judge. Learning not to judge and how best to be kind is a lifelong quest. Doing our best to consistanly work to become our highest vision of ourselves. This is a fine ideal, and one in which most of us, especially as we age, long to do.
Isn't it interesting how our human mind works. One moment we might be thinking of a musical group like Radiohead and in the next we find ourselves reflecting on our past actions and desires for the future. Nothing in thus Universe is ever wasted!
See for yourself!