Menos jugar y más empatía 🥰

“It's easy to judge the mistakes of others,” isn't it? I’ve found myself saying or thinking that more times than I care to admit. For years, I approached situations with a critical eye, quick to find fault or assume I knew someone’s intentions. It felt almost natural, a default setting, to analyze and label what others were doing wrong. But honestly, this habit wasn't bringing me any closer to mental peace or genuine connection. In fact, it often left me feeling more isolated and even a little stressed. I remember this one time, a friend of mine made a decision I completely disagreed with. My immediate thought was, “How could they be so foolish?” I spent days replaying it in my head, mentally dissecting their “mistakes.” It truly felt easy to list all the reasons why my path would have been better. But then, a quiet voice in my head started asking, “What if you don't have the full picture? What if there's more to this than meets the eye?” This was the beginning of my journey towards understanding the difficulty of self-reflection and the power of empathy. It got me thinking about the contrast between ‘demas vs otros’ – us versus them, or even just our perspective versus everyone else’s. Why is it so much easier to scrutinize others than to turn that same critical gaze inward? I think part of it is self-preservation. Admitting our own imperfections or biases can be uncomfortable. It’s much more comfortable to project our insecurities or frustrations onto someone else. We create a narrative where we are the protagonist doing everything right, and others are making “mistakes.” But this narrative often leads to hurting others, even unintentionally. The meaning of ‘herir’ (to hurt) isn't always about direct confrontation; sometimes, it’s the quiet judgment in our minds that poisons our own peace and prevents us from forming meaningful bonds. Cultivating empathy became my personal mission. It meant actively trying to step into another person's shoes, to imagine their experiences, their fears, their hopes. It wasn't about excusing their actions, but about understanding the human context behind them. This shift wasn't easy. It required conscious effort to pause before judging, to ask questions instead of making assumptions, and to genuinely listen. It pushed me to practice self-reflection, acknowledging my own preconceptions and where they might come from. I had to confront the idea that sometimes, my judgments said more about me than about the person I was judging. Through this process, I discovered that true mental peace doesn't come from being right or proving others wrong. It comes from understanding, from compassion, and from recognizing our shared humanity. When I started practicing empathy, I noticed a profound change in my interactions. My relationships deepened, and I felt a sense of calm that had been missing. Even in situations where I still disagreed with someone, I could approach it with a more open heart, fostering a sense of teamwork and mutual respect rather than conflict. It's a continuous journey, but one that has truly enriched my life. If you find yourself in the trap of easily judging others, I encourage you to try turning that lens inward and embracing the beautiful challenge of empathy. It's a game-changer for your well-being and your connections.