Sedona Hutton's Blog - Posts Tagged "non-judgment"
Everyone’s Doing The Best They Can
“Everyone’s doing their best at every moment based upon their current state of consciousness,” Dr. David Simon, The Ten Commitments
I was introduced to this concept while studying for my meditation certification at The Chopra Center. It resonated with me so deeply that I included the idea in one of my novels, The Perfect Lap.
In The Perfect Lap, AJ Ryan’s granddad teaches him that “everyone’s doing the best they can from where they are.” AJ listens, but he doesn’t understand what it means until he meets Clare, the mother of the children he’s co-fostering.
So what does this statement mean?
We’re all on our own unique paths in life. We got where we are through a series of experiences, beliefs, and choices. Because we’ve all had different life experiences, we’re all in different places along our path.
We evaluate situations through our lens of experiences, and it’s natural to judge others through this lens as well. The old adage, “Don’t judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes” is fitting. We all too often make judgments based on what we perceive on the surface. Another piece of wisdom I learned from Dr. Simon is that “everyone has a story.” Without knowing a person’s background, experiences and choices…without “walking a mile in their shoes,” it’s impossible to truly understand their story.
“The ability to observe without evaluating is the highest form of intelligence.”—Jiddu Krishnamurti
In The Perfect Lap, Clare appears to be a bad mother. She smokes, drinks, and leaves her young children home alone for days on end. Like everyone, Clare has a story. After AJ and Ella get to know her and learn her story, they realize she’s made the best choices she could based on the options available to her.
I won’t give away a spoiler, however, I will note that…compassion arises from understanding a person’s story.
“Everyone may not be good, but there’s always something good in everyone. Never judge anyone shortly because every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.” —Oscar Wilde
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of romance and women’s fiction novels with new age, spiritual twists.
The Perfect Lap—If you like bad boys with a heart of gold, strong women, and love stories with a spiritual twist, then you’ll adore this racing romance novel. Purchase link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, click here: https://amzn.to/2Lp3b5p
To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/
Recommended Reading:
The Ten Commitments by Dr. David Simon: https://amzn.to/2UEH0J2
The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k
Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.
I was introduced to this concept while studying for my meditation certification at The Chopra Center. It resonated with me so deeply that I included the idea in one of my novels, The Perfect Lap.
In The Perfect Lap, AJ Ryan’s granddad teaches him that “everyone’s doing the best they can from where they are.” AJ listens, but he doesn’t understand what it means until he meets Clare, the mother of the children he’s co-fostering.
So what does this statement mean?
We’re all on our own unique paths in life. We got where we are through a series of experiences, beliefs, and choices. Because we’ve all had different life experiences, we’re all in different places along our path.
We evaluate situations through our lens of experiences, and it’s natural to judge others through this lens as well. The old adage, “Don’t judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes” is fitting. We all too often make judgments based on what we perceive on the surface. Another piece of wisdom I learned from Dr. Simon is that “everyone has a story.” Without knowing a person’s background, experiences and choices…without “walking a mile in their shoes,” it’s impossible to truly understand their story.
“The ability to observe without evaluating is the highest form of intelligence.”—Jiddu Krishnamurti
In The Perfect Lap, Clare appears to be a bad mother. She smokes, drinks, and leaves her young children home alone for days on end. Like everyone, Clare has a story. After AJ and Ella get to know her and learn her story, they realize she’s made the best choices she could based on the options available to her.
I won’t give away a spoiler, however, I will note that…compassion arises from understanding a person’s story.
“Everyone may not be good, but there’s always something good in everyone. Never judge anyone shortly because every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.” —Oscar Wilde
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of romance and women’s fiction novels with new age, spiritual twists.
The Perfect Lap—If you like bad boys with a heart of gold, strong women, and love stories with a spiritual twist, then you’ll adore this racing romance novel. Purchase link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, click here: https://amzn.to/2Lp3b5p
To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/
Recommended Reading:
The Ten Commitments by Dr. David Simon: https://amzn.to/2UEH0J2
The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k
Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.
8 Spiritual Themes in The Perfect Lap
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
As an author it’s my desire to write stories that entertain and inspire. To this end, I’m blending traditional romance and women’s fiction with new age spirituality. My novels include plenty of romance, conflict, and family drama, along with new age concepts like the Law of Attraction and Focusing on the Now.
There are many thought-provoking themes in my newly released contemporary romance, The Perfect Lap, including:
- Non-judgment
- Everyone is doing the best they can from where they are
- Giving from a place of love
- Prioritizing joy
- Living in the now
- The difference of one
- Gratitude
- No such thing as perfection
Below I’ve included select questions from The Perfect Lap’s Reading Group Guide related to these themes to prompt further contemplation.
1. Non-judgment: Ella has a preconceived notion about the Piper kids’ mother before she meets Clare. After she gets to know Clare, she finds someone entirely different than what she had envisioned. Have you ever experienced this? What did you learn?
2. Everyone is doing the best they can from where they are: AJ’s grandfather taught him this concept. What do you think this means? Do you agree or disagree with this philosophy, and what supports your position?
3. Giving from a place of love: Cruz tells AJ that he needs to give from a place of love. Do you think the reason for giving makes a difference, or is it just the gift that matters? Please explain your position.
4. Prioritizing joy: AJ suggests that Ella make an important job decision based on what makes her happy. What do you think about this advice and why?
5. Living in the now: AJ’s granddad used to tell him to “stop fretting and live his life.” What do you think he meant by this?
6. The difference of one: Ella’s aunt taught her that one person can make a difference. Do you agree? Why or why not?
7. Gratitude: In the New Age Parenting class that Ella and AJ attend, they learn that giving gratitude shifts your energy from negative to positive. Do you believe this? If so, how does this work?
8. No such thing as Perfection:
a. AJ’s grandfather taught him that there’s no such thing as perfection; in racing this translated to no such thing as a perfect lap. What are your thoughts on perfection?
b. AJ taught Ella and the kids that you don’t need to be perfect to be successful, you need to consistently do your best. Do you agree? Why or why not?
A full list of Reading Group Guide questions can be found at the end of The Perfect Lap and on my website at: https://sedonahutton.com/the-perfect-....
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of romance and women’s fiction novels with new age, spiritual twists.
The Perfect Lap—His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? To purchase, please click on this link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv.
Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, click here: https://goo.gl/N9aC38.
To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/.
― Mahatma Gandhi
As an author it’s my desire to write stories that entertain and inspire. To this end, I’m blending traditional romance and women’s fiction with new age spirituality. My novels include plenty of romance, conflict, and family drama, along with new age concepts like the Law of Attraction and Focusing on the Now.
There are many thought-provoking themes in my newly released contemporary romance, The Perfect Lap, including:
- Non-judgment
- Everyone is doing the best they can from where they are
- Giving from a place of love
- Prioritizing joy
- Living in the now
- The difference of one
- Gratitude
- No such thing as perfection
Below I’ve included select questions from The Perfect Lap’s Reading Group Guide related to these themes to prompt further contemplation.
1. Non-judgment: Ella has a preconceived notion about the Piper kids’ mother before she meets Clare. After she gets to know Clare, she finds someone entirely different than what she had envisioned. Have you ever experienced this? What did you learn?
2. Everyone is doing the best they can from where they are: AJ’s grandfather taught him this concept. What do you think this means? Do you agree or disagree with this philosophy, and what supports your position?
3. Giving from a place of love: Cruz tells AJ that he needs to give from a place of love. Do you think the reason for giving makes a difference, or is it just the gift that matters? Please explain your position.
4. Prioritizing joy: AJ suggests that Ella make an important job decision based on what makes her happy. What do you think about this advice and why?
5. Living in the now: AJ’s granddad used to tell him to “stop fretting and live his life.” What do you think he meant by this?
6. The difference of one: Ella’s aunt taught her that one person can make a difference. Do you agree? Why or why not?
7. Gratitude: In the New Age Parenting class that Ella and AJ attend, they learn that giving gratitude shifts your energy from negative to positive. Do you believe this? If so, how does this work?
8. No such thing as Perfection:
a. AJ’s grandfather taught him that there’s no such thing as perfection; in racing this translated to no such thing as a perfect lap. What are your thoughts on perfection?
b. AJ taught Ella and the kids that you don’t need to be perfect to be successful, you need to consistently do your best. Do you agree? Why or why not?
A full list of Reading Group Guide questions can be found at the end of The Perfect Lap and on my website at: https://sedonahutton.com/the-perfect-....
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of romance and women’s fiction novels with new age, spiritual twists.
The Perfect Lap—His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? To purchase, please click on this link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv.
Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, click here: https://goo.gl/N9aC38.
To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/.
