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I like it classic. I like it fun, fab and romantic. Adjectives? Yes, from the grammar geek’s point of view. What I am trying to drive home here, is how we like to qualify stuff. I didn’t quite understand when my professor said “We judge continually. Sometimes we’re so busy judging, that we arrive at deductions and conclusions, while barely taking note of what’s actually happening.” It’s like being on a fast ride – too much has gone by unnoticed while you are busy qualifying things, putting a label on each.
We’re continually called upon to assess, to give an opinion and it soon becomes a habit. And face it - it is one job less if you’ve already put a label on somebody or something. Therefore, you’re in a hurry to label, and libel, if necessary.
No, let’s not talk about people who ask for opinions about something but do not actually want to hear what’s wrong with it. Leaping into the realm of insecurity and realism is a no-no for now, when I am myself slipping into causticity and despondency.
“A problem defined is a problem half-solved” – right, we’ve heard that before. Sure, go ahead and define a problem. Put it in 0s and 1s. And when you're doing that, spare a thought for the dozens of shades of gray that you have brushed off. Nothing wrong with calling a spade a spade. But life does not play it in black and white. In times when nothing is what it seems and people are constantly second-guessing their own and others' opinions, how much can one afford to miss??

“If you judge people, you have no right to love them”. Not for the love of companionship, or even survival but for the sake of being and living, today and tomorrow, give it a rest. This is not an appeal, nor a homily.
It’s not easy to go about not-judging. I am so used to forming opinions, I can’t help it now. I cringe, reel, react and retaliate. I ought to rather take in impressions and leave it at that.
Invariably, I cling to an opinion after I have it made and Time has to shake me up to make me take a hard look. And before I know, it is one hell of a cycle. To travel is good. To reinvent oneself a few times in life is good. Perhaps for the same reason that it shakes you up.
Travel relaxes some people. Strange! I guess that’s because it lets them escape into the unknown. I scarcely see why. I suppose the insecure will never appreciate the joys of exploring the unknown. But then, one has to grow, in terms of soul-strength and make up for the paucity of knowledge. Observe and receive, like a child does. Good sense and faith are as safe as daddy’s arms – perhaps only in an ideal world. But learn, without judging. Learn, even while quirking an eyebrow.

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