I'm currently in a double period of ancient history, sitting outside on the verandah because being in the classroom was getting to be too much. A few others are sitting out here too, including one friend who we have been having a lot of problems with recently.
She consistently goes too far. If the rest of us can be joking around about something slightly risque, she will take it over the line. If we are lightheartedly making fun of something, she takes it too far.
When thinking about how she takes things "too far", I started wondering: what is too far? While trying to come up with my own definition of too far, I found myself analysing my own thoughts and actions and wondering if I too have, at times, crossed the line.
So what did I decide was the definition of 'too far' when talking about someone?
- Saying something that would humiliate the person if they heard it
- Saying anything which suggests there is a fault in their tastes, personality or appearance
- Making fun of something they can't help
Making fun of something they can't help.
This is a concept that has always angered me due to my own experiences with TS and bullying. But thinking things over recently about my friend, I have realised that I am a hypocrite. I am a very judging person. I would never treat someone differently for it, but when I see a person I will judge them on their habits, their abilities, their personality. I judge them for who they are. Who am I to complain and feel sorry for myself when others discriminate against me, when I judge others on a daily basis?
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."
~Matthew 7:1-5
