I don't judge

How can I? As I've said over and over again, there's always 2 sides to a story; both of which can be right. I used to be angry at others who (in my eyes) did me wrong but since then, I really learn that forgiveness is better.

Anyway, how can I judge others? Just because some people are rushing or pushing their way doesn't mean they don't have a good reason to. I always wondered why people rush about in the LRT stations. I mean, some of them are just so worried about missing the train, they want to rush in the moment the doors open! And of course, there are those who push their way to the front of the door to go out as well as the majority who walk fast/run when out of the train; wanting to be the first out of the station.

Like I said before, I don't understand why people like to rush about. Enjoy life man... However, I myself have had to rush sometimes for various reasons and I also push myself to the front of the train doors once. Imagine my embarrassment when I realise that the people behind me are also getting off! That's when I decided never to push in front again. I start pushing only when the doors open. =P Seriously though, I can't get properly angry at all these people rushing about anymore because I'm come to realize that some of them are new to the LRT system so they are genuinely worried they don't have the time to get on or off. And of course, some commuters are naturally fast walkers so can't really blame them (I'm a pretty fast walker too most of the time. Mostly coz I like to walk fast). And there are those are a little late so they have to rush. While I think most of the time, with proper planning, we don't have to rush; there's still those few times when emergency strikes. And with so many people on the LRT and so many reasons, how can I genuinely pick out the few who are simple impatient? It's like picking a needle out of a haystack.

The same applies to traffic jams. I'm sure we have all been angry and swore at those inconsiderate drivers who cut lanes and/or cut queue. Of course we have a right to be angry at them but let's understand the scenario as it is from their point of view. There will always be drivers who genuinely don't know the road so have to cut in at the last minute and hence, cut queue. And of course you have drivers who were driving on the fast lane but now have to go to the slow lane for their turnoff. Can we really be angry at them?

Another thing I have learn: I still can't judge others even if I have never done it before. I can't condemn a thief simply because he stole. Yes, stealing is bad and there's hardly a good reason to steal but sometimes, we have to look at the motive and the intention. For example, if he stole to feed his family. I agree that he should be punish but let's not be quick to condemn him to being a thief and that he's always a thief. That's why I hate the saying "Once a ____, always a ____" where the "___" represents any label we put on others. When people get desperate enough to resort to law breaking, we must first understand their situation. Then and only then can we properly judge them.

That's probably why the penalty for murder and the penalty for manslaughter is so different. While both are crimes worthy of punishment (and the guilty are punished severely for it), the punishment is heavier for the premeditated one. That's because though wrongdoings should be punished, our intentions is doing the crime is also a big factor. Can we really condemn someone who did wrong sincerely believing he was right? Course, we do call these people deluded sometimes but that's not the point.

In short, there's a hundred and one reason why people do what they do. Not all the reasons are right, nor does the right reasons make the actions right. However, it does mean that we can't simply judge them and say they are bad people because of it. And how are we to say what is justifiable and what is not? Humanity has not reach a point where every action is in black and white. If anything, the rules by which we judge others are becoming grayer.

In retrospect of this, I decided that God's ways are better. I will forgive them if they intentionally or unintentionally anger/hurt me. Forgiveness gives me peace of mind and freedom of spirit. God, in all His power and greatness, knows whether they deserve to be punish or not and He will act accordingly. There's no need for me to take revenge. It doesn't help anyone. Certainly not me.