Assume the worst?

Do we automatically assume the worst?

When you see a family gathering, during a pandemic, do you automatically assume they don't care about the health of others?

As a teacher, when a student completely fails a test, do you automatically assume the student didn't try?

If you see someone who has gained a lot of weight, do you automatically assume they are "letting themselves go" or that they are eating too much and being lazy?

If someone interrupts a lot, do you automatically assume they are rude?

What if instead, we realized two things:

1. It's usually not our business anyway, so why assume anything;

and

2. Most of the time, our assumptions are wrong.

The family gathering from multiple destinations all got tested before they gathered.

The student who failed the test was too afraid to ask for help with the concepts and simply didn't get it.

The person who has gained a lot of weight has a major health issue going on that causes immense swelling and inflammation.

The person who keeps interrupting, has lost the majority of their hearing.

Wouldn't it be beautiful if we worked hard to think of the best case scenario or reason for experiences, interactions etc. instead of assuming the worst?

Everyone reading this has at some time in their life, experienced the pain of incorrect assumption being made about them.

It's harder to look for the positive, because our nature as humans is first to see the flaws, as if it somehow makes us feel better about our own flaws.

The world looks a lot better when we look through the lens of positivity and believing in the best of people.

I find it easier to love others when I work at this.

It's not always easy, for sure, but I want to work harder to do this.

If we always assume positive intent, our reactions to things are better, kinder.

We may still be disappointed or even disgusted in human behavior, but it will only be when it is justified and when true motives are revealed, not based on our assumption.

Disappointment will happen less frequently when we practice this, and our outlook on life, relationships and overall attitude will improve.

Comments

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