Everyone is different; the world is filled with individuals. “Individual” is defined as “existing as a distinct entity; separate.” Everyone comes from a different history, different family, different heritage, different life experiences, different parenting, different religions, and different thoughts, values, and socio-economic and educational levels. No one truly knows the full and true story of another human being. You don’t know where they’ve been, what they’ve seen, what they’ve felt, or what they’ve heard, from both external and internal voices. Everyone makes different choices for their life based on their own experiences and what they’ve been through, what they believe in and what is important to them. You are not here on earth to pass judgment on other people for how they live their lives, or to try to tell other people how to live their lives based on your own beliefs. As long as someone is not breaking the law or hurting someone else, focus on your own life and try to leave the negativity of judgment alone. Don’t stand behind a curtain, a mask, anonymity, or the guise of greater knowledge or belief system, and point fingers and belittle others for their choices or demand that others live, act and think like you. Be above that. Let it lie beyond the scope of your thinking. Realize that in the end, it only brings you down. Instead, embrace differences, learn from them, and be open minded. Your soul will thank you.

Ps. Please know, little baby, that when I write this, I am not perfect and I do not profess to be perfect. I try to be judgment free, but I know I am not. I am aware of my shortcomings and I try to be better. The only thing we can ever do is to try to be our best self, even when we know we sometimes falter.

PHOTO NOTE: Took this in the morning, so my belly looks small 🙂

**If you’d like to learn more about this maternity self-portrait series, please check out this blog.