Rambling on about Personal Growth and Insights Over Time…..

Reflecting this morning on my ability to judge character, I feel confident that I have become much more adept at this skill over the years. In my younger days, I often led with my heart, giving people chances that were not necessarily earned. This tendency sometimes resulted in disappointment and difficult lessons. I was eager to see the best in everyone, but I later realized that not all individuals deserved that benefit of the doubt.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve gained wisdom that has refined my approach to evaluating others. Experience has taught me to look beyond first impressions and to recognize patterns in behavior that reveal someone’s true character. I’ve learned, and am still  learning to balance empathy with discernment, understanding that kindness should not come at the expense of my own well-being.

I admit that each misjudgment in the past served as a valuable lesson. I now realize the importance of setting boundaries and not allowing emotions to cloud my judgment. By reflecting on these experiences, I have developed a more objective and thoughtful perspective. This has allowed me to better protect myself while still remaining open to forming new connections. I tell people I may seem quiet, but I am seeing and hearing and watching… I know more than you think.

Today, I believe I am a good judge of character. My decisions are guided by both intuition and reason, shaped by years of observation and learning. While I recognize that nobody is perfect and mistakes can still happen, I trust in my ability to assess people more accurately. AM I ever wrong? YES, but I am human. I do believe the wisdom that comes with age has truly helped me become a better judge of character, and I am grateful for the growth these experiences have brought.