Judgement – Want Some?

I’ve Got Plenty to Spare

– by Ed Bergstrom

When my first born was eating baby cereal for the very first time it was a big deal for my wife and I. He was a new person and we were new parents. 

My wife would scoop out a small spoonful while I recorded the entire meal. My son would gladly accept the food in his mouth, after all, he was hungry. But he would push it out with his tongue. 

Over and over again my wife tried to feed him and over and over again he would move his tongue back and forth between his lips spitting the food down his chin. My wife and I panicked! What’s wrong with our kid? He can’t use his tongue! 

I called her mother while I continued to watch in horror. He spit his cereal out over and over. I immediately made all kinds of judgements. There’s something wrong with our new baby. We’re going to have to give him bottles or breastfeed him forever! What a horrible thought!

Of course, my experienced mother-in-law knew the answer. Our precious baby boy didn’t know how to use his tongue to swallow yet. She told us to keep doing what we were doing and trust in the fact that he will eventually figure out how to use that big thing in his mouth. His natural instincts would eventually kick in and he would be fine. 

Really, that’s it? Just keep feeding him? So, my wife continued and yes, eventually he figured out. And now, decades years later, he can eat all kinds of foods without spitting them out down his chin.

We’re so proud of him.

The first “D” living in 3D is Don’t Know. After all, I Don’t Know what I Don’t Know.

I use my Judgement skill every time I’m faced with something I Don’t Know. If someone at work makes a comment about something I Don’t Know – he’s a show off or an idiot because that must be wrong. Otherwise, I would know it!

It doesn’t have to be something I Don’t Know, it could just be something that’s different. Oh, you’re wearing shorts today and I’m not? Then you’re an idiot because it’s going to get colder later. Oh, you’re driving that car? Using that type of phone? Voted for who? Eating what kind of foods?

Want to lose your Judgement like I have? Good! The first step to losing your judgement and critical self is to ACCEPT the fact that you Don’t Know what you Don’t Know. And ACCEPT the fact that it is OK for something – anything, to be different than you know or like. 

It’s okay to be different.

And it’s definitely okay for babies to need time to grow and learn how to use their tongues.

Thanks for coming.

Reference: The NEW U – INSIDE; STEP 2; section A – Don’t Know what you Don’t Know