A Sense Of Wonder

I am one judgemental son of a bitch. I look at people and immediately form an opinion. I was driving to work earlier this week and saw a couple wandering the streets together. Fat downtrodden looking woman wearing shorts and her grizzled, weather beaten man.
I didn't consciously think the thought, but in retrospect I realize I immediately felt superior to them. They looked purposeless, like non contributing members of society.
Upon further reflection my brain asked me who the hell I think I am.
But I do this all the time.
Occasionally I shop at Wal-mart out of sheer desperation. And afterward I always feel like I should go to a professional delousing facility, followed by a two hour shower at home.
Before you get all critical on me and start calling me a no good, useless piece of flesh, admit to yourself that you do it too. You know you do. We all do.
It occurred to me that I need to look upon all humans with a sense of wonder. Or at least try to.
If I get solid evidence that someone is a useless loser, a person who scams the system, an individual who has never even tried to take a legitimate shot at life, a person who has been this way since birth, then I am justified in escorting them to the nearest Soylent Green facility.
If I see someone walking down the street who does not meet my esthetic qualifications I don't have the right to immediately judge them.
There are reasons why people get defeated. Reasons related to work to health to psychology to random life events to self inflicted life events to mistakes to trusting the deceitful to on and on and on.
I could be doing a lot more with my life than I am. That makes me a limited contributing member of society at best. In a way I am a drag on society because if I achieved more I would be contributing more.
In an interesting twist I am my own harshest critic. Maybe I need to look upon myself with a sense of wonder. But that is a story for another place and time.
It is a harsh and unforgiving ride, this journey through life. A little less negative judgement would create a fresh breeze to cut through the stench.
Meaningful thoughts inspired by a woman who should never wear shorts and a guy who has not recently seen a razor.
As I re-read that sentence I realize I need to work on this philosophy a little more.