This week on The Wisdom Channel™, I explored a theme that lives inside so many of us: judgment. At first glance, judgment looks like criticism, separation, or defensiveness. But underneath, it often serves as a shield, and a way we try to protect ourselves from hurt, rejection, or the echoes of past trauma.
When I recorded this episode, it was September 11th, a day of deep remembrance. I began with a moment of breath and reflection, honoring the lives lost and acknowledging the heaviness of the world we live in. And it reminded me just how much we long to feel safe, seen, and connected.
Judgment as a Shield
Judgment can show up as armor. It can protect us from the pain of not being heard, or from the risk of vulnerability. Sometimes we project our fears and insecurities onto others, and it surfaces as judgment that diminishes them. We may not even realize it, because it feels like truth from where we stand.
And yet, when we live behind those walls, we also block love, connection, and joy.
I love the metaphor that nature doesn’t judge us. It simply receives us as we are. Can we learn to meet ourselves in the same way?
The Cost of Self-Judgment
Self-criticism is often the hardest judgment to release. At times, it feels like protection. If we judge ourselves first, maybe no one else can hurt us. But in reality, self-judgment only distances us further from love.
We stay in cycles, sometimes even in painful relationships, hoping that if we change enough, someone else will finally see us. When they can’t, we turn inward and judge ourselves instead. But the truth is, love can’t be forced from someone who doesn’t have the capacity to give it in the way we need.
And in those moments, the wisest thing we can do is walk away with love, and to choose ourselves instead of betraying ourselves.
Compassion as a Way Forward
Judgment doesn’t disappear overnight, yet compassion offers us another path.
As I shared in the episode:
“As we release judgment with compassion, we honor the part of us that tried to keep us safe and invite a new way of being; one rooted in love, authenticity, and freedom.”
The invitation is simple: notice where judgment shows up, and pause. Ask yourself: What would compassion look like here? Can I choose to soften instead of criticize? Can I choose to love instead of protect?
Even one small act of kindness toward yourself begins to dissolve the shield.
A Gentle Invitation
I’ll leave you with this: what is one way you can judge yourself less today?
✨ Watch the full Episode 3 of The Wisdom Channel™:
On YouTube/LisaEve
On The Wisdom Channel™ page on this site
Or on your favorite podcast platform
Compassion starts within. When we soften, we create more space for love.
'Til next time, thanks for reading, and love yourself more today.
xo,
Lisa Eve
