I know what I'm doing.
It’s the other person who doesn’t.

I had been staying at one of our centers when the day turned rainy. Close to lunchtime, people began arriving via the long walkway.

I noticed a young woman who was holding an umbrella and wearing flip-flops. She’ll get her feet wet. And maybe catch a cold with this chilly wind! 

I was thinking this when I remembered that I too had worn sandals to lunch. But I had good reason! I just need to go a few paces until I’m under the awning. Just a few feet. So I was entirely justified. She’s not.

Thank goodness, all this silliness only lasted a few seconds before I caught myself. Regrettably, we perform such fault-finding comparisons all the time. We act in a similar manner, but our own behavior is justified. I have a good reason, he doesn’t. I know what I’m doing, she does not. 

And so we observe, differentiate, critique, and judge. Imagine how much more pleasant it would be just to observe and stop there. Or at least observe and conclude something pleasant.

As in, great hot pink flip-flops!