Hasty Judgments

The hostile tone which pervades the spirit of our times is prompting people to react negatively to newsworthy events and to reach conclusions – before knowing the facts – which are based on hearsay and lies.

This year, 2021, during unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the young man who fired his gun in self defense was found not guilty of any crime. However, at the first report of this incident before legal action was undertaken, President Biden accused this young man of being a white supremacist. No non-white people were involved in the incident.

In the case of Jussie Smollett – who is, as of December 9, 2021, judged guilty on five counts of lying to the police and other authorities, falsely claiming to be a victim of a hate crime – was praised by Vice-President Harris at the first report of this non-event. In that case based solely on Smollett’s allegation and with no facts at hand, numerous press outlets instantly believed Smollett’s story. Furthermore, reporters from those same ridiculed people who doubted Smollett. The fact that his story made no sense did not enter into their thinking. In fact there was no thinking at all in their witless minds. Only a knee-jerk reaction of outrage intended to generate ratings.

These are just two glaring examples of the irrationality that leads to hasty judgments. In dysfunctional relationships this is not the exception. It is the rule.

If you take an honest look at yourself, do you see someone who is in the habit of jumping to conclusions, making flawed assumptions or forming opinions based on emotion rather than facts? Virtually every client I’ve worked with in therapy has made these kinds of errors. The truth is that we are all liable to do this at some time or other.

Fortunately, the habit of making hasty judgments need not pose an obstacle to your happiness. Anyone who is sufficiently motivated can eliminate such a habit. We have specific methods aimed at helping people to do just that.

If your quality of life has been affected by a tendency to react negatively and quickly before thinking, and if you would like to know how to change that, please feel free to call. The phone number is (219) 309-3928. It would be an honor to be of service.

For more thoughts on this subject click here Conflict #24 – Do Not Assume

Thanks for reading!