Have you ever looked at someone and instantly made a judgment? Maybe it was about how they dress, how they talk or what they do. We all do it. It’s almost like a reflex – fast and automatic. We think we know the truth, but often, we’re just guessing from the outside. In our minds, we become storytellers, building stories without facts. We assume, we conclude and sometimes, we even act on those assumptions. And later, when the truth comes out, we’re left feeling awkward, or worse, guilty.
Let me share a story that how easily we can be wrong and how important it is to pause, reflect and look again. Every morning, a lady sat near her window with a warm cup of tea. She enjoyed watching the world outside. One day, she noticed her neighbour hanging clothes to dry. “Oh dear,” she told her husband, “Her clothes are always so dirty. Doesn’t she know how to wash properly?” The next day, she commented again, “Still dirty! She really needs some good detergent.” And day after day, she made the same remarks. Then one morning, she exclaimed in surprise, “Wow! Her clothes are finally clean today! I think someone taught her the right way.” Her husband smiled calmly and said, “No one taught her, my dear. I just cleaned our window this morning.”
The problem was never with the neighbour’s clothes. The problem was with the dusty window – the lady's own point of view. Similarly, in real life, the stains we see in others are often reflections of our own unclear thinking. We often jump to conclusions without facts. We blame people, we make up stories in our head and pass comments based on how we see them rather than who they genuinely are. Next time before we point fingers, let’s pause and ask:
- Are we being fair?
- Are our eyes clouded with jealousy, ego or past experiences?
- Are we seeing clearly or through a dirty lens?
Even the Almighty wants us to be humble, patient and kind. He gave us two ears, two eyes but only one mouth – maybe because we should observe more and speak less. Sometimes, the change we want in the world begins with cleaning our own hearts. Let’s be the kind of people who give the benefit of the doubt, who see the best in others and who choose compassion over criticism.
Life is brighter when we wipe away the dust of assumptions and look at others with love and light. A clean window not only shows the truth but also reflects the sunshine inside us. Assume less. Understand more. Love endlessly. Live wisely. That’s how we become better humans — one clean thought at a time.
