“There are few things as important, as sacred, as observing.” — Frederick Buechner
Labels such as “lazy,” “irresponsible,” or even “smart” limit how we truly see others.
To observe is not to judge — it is to look with an open heart.
The world changes every second — our words must flow with it.
Describe what you see, not what you believe.
Observation separates fact from interpretation and opens the door to empathy.
“I can accept what I did or didn’t do, but don’t mix the two.” — Rosenberg
“The director talks too much” is evaluation. “The director told three stories during the meeting” is observation.
Specifics open dialogue; generalizations close the heart.
Make the mental shift. Transform judgmental statements into observable facts.
| Evaluation | Observation |
|---|---|
| You’re too generous. | You gave your lunch to a classmate. |
| Doug always procrastinates. | He studied only the night before the exam. |
| Hank plays soccer badly. | He didn’t score in twenty matches. |
| Jim is ugly. | I don’t find him physically attractive. |
“Observing without evaluating is the highest form of human intelligence.” — Krishnamurti