Have you ever noticed that we never have a problem with the noise our own slippers make while walking? While we have problem when others make the same noise, it’s a subtle reminder that we judge others much more critically than ourselves.
I remember an incident at a party. While browsing the buffet, I spotted a ring on the ground. It was an iron ring, often referred to in Hindu culture as a “ghode ki naal ring” (horse shoe ring), and is considered auspicious.
Looking at it, I thought to myself, “Whose ring is this? It looks so pathetic.” I didn’t pick it up, but showed it to a couple of friends, asking whose ring it was. Then it hit me—it was my ring. I had dropped it without noticing it.
As soon as I realized it was my ring, my perception changed and it was no longer pathetic. I wondered how I could have judged it so harshly. I quickly picked it up and wore it again. This incident made me realize how fast and cruel our judgments can be when something seems to belong to someone else, compared to when it’s our own.
This experience was a powerful reminder of the biases we hold. When we perceive something as ours, we are more forgiving and understanding. But when it belongs to someone else, our judgments can be swift and harsh. It’s a lesson in empathy and self-awareness, highlighting the need to check our biases and be kinder in our judgments.
Next time you hear the sound of your slippers, remember: the noise isn’t bothersome because it’s yours. Extend that understanding to others, and the world will be a more compassionate place.