“Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged” (Matthew 7, King James Bible) is sometimes called the most misquoted verse in the Bible. Probably they are all misquoted thanks to our tendency to see things the way we want to see and read them. The better question is can we help ourselves be less judgmental or is it part of our human condition and essential make-up? I know I catch myself doing it all the time and sometimes getting others to join in like “piling on” or late hits in football. I usually feel embarrassed afterwards thanks to my Jiminy Cricket like conscience, but to be honest, sometimes I see that I use it to make myself feel better about myself……ewww. Not a pretty admission and not exactly what I imagine either Jesus or the Dalai Lama doing while surfing the internet together, ie. “OMG, can you believe what she’s wearing??” or “What an idiot comment, posting, Facebook photo, I cant wait to eviscerate them with my cutting wit…etc.” (while high fiving each other). Lately I have been using a simple technique to combat my tendency to judge others. I quickly ask myself if I have ever done, said, thought, or imagined doing the same thing that I am perceiving to be so foolish, dumb, biased, or ridiculous. Not so surprisingly, usually I realize I have done so and therefore, its not that “lest I be judged” but rather, I can understand how it is possible and empathize. I get it that I might do or say dumb foolish things now, in the past or god forbid in the future, so I might as well step off my high horse. If that doesnt work, I watch an old movie on tv or look at pictures of myself during the ’80s (disco era) and realize what was hip and cool once is plain dorky today. That pretty much knocks my fat ego off the pedestal… Roller Boogie/Saturday Night Fever moustache, madras vest and all.