at a glance.

How often do we judge things at a glance? "This movie is going to be so boring, look at the case!" or "That is going to taste so disgusting -- who would drink something like that?" These two sentences come to mind because if I hadn't taken a chance on that movie or that drink, I wouldn't have discovered two of my favorite things. But those judgements go further than inanimate objects.


How many times have you caught yourself thinking things like, "She hangs out with theeem?" or "Can you believe she did thaaat?" For some reason, we tend to think we know best; not only for ourselves but for our friends, family, and any stranger walking by on the street. We make judgements on others actions without ever learning the motive (not that the motive is always right...). It's human nature. I find myself guilty of this often. Too often if you ask me, but its something to work on.

Last semester, I had a class with someone I know has been openly criticized across campus. I have sat amongst friends when the name came up. But throughout the class, I learned a lot about them. They made some bad decisions, yes; but from those bad decisions, came some very good decisions. The person has learned and grown a lot as a person and I believe it is very admirable.

Okay, now I'm really gonna stretch this to a place that is kind of ridiculous, but have you guys ever watched Teen Mom on MTV? Its the only show I watch on there and I have come to really admire Catelynn and Tyler. They got pregnant as juniors in high school and made the tough decision to give the child up for adoption. Their parents don't think it was the best decision but they made it anyways. Tyler's dad has been in and out of prison his whole life and Catelynn knew the baby couldn't be raised in those circumstances. Many would say they should never have been in the situation to begin with, but we all make questionable decisions. Instead, they persevered and did what was best for the child. They weren't the product of their upbringing I'm sure many of their classmates expected them to be, instead they were mature beyond their years in making the decision they did.

Sometimes it is so easy to see the negative in all the situations. If most of us look back and see what we talk about all the time it's how bad the dining hall food is, how mean so-and-so is, how crappy the weather is. What if we took the time to look for the positive in every situation? What would that do to our attitudes in life and affect our friendships with everyone around us?

Life is so much more than our "at a glance" perceptions.