Every person has prejudgments. Everyone has their biases. It is a human condition, and yet you must not let these feelings and opinions close off opportunities that appear in front of you.
Imagine that an exciting new person shows up in your life, someone who could become a good friend or more. This delightful person was born with light skin and red hair. But you don’t like gingers. Your ‘be-on-the-lookout-for-a-new-friend’ radar never picks this person up.
Your bias just closed you off to getting to know this delightful individual. Your uninformed prejudgment does not make you wrong, yet you closed the door unwittingly to an opportunity and possibility for friendship.
“Not making a new friend is not quite serious,” you might be thinking. “There are lots of possible people to befriend.”
How about missing an opportunity to be a world champion football club? Is that a strong enough case for you to examine your own biases and prejudgments?
The Seattle Seahawks proved that defense wins championships! Their defense is the best in the NFL and they are now Super Bowl champions.
One of the best defensive players in college ball football will soon be available in the upcoming NFL draft where the 32 football clubs seek out talent. In the draft, most clubs, if not all, will search for possibilities to strengthen their defense, thanks to the Seahawk’s exceptional year.
But because he just informed the football world that he is gay, Michael Sam may not be drafted! The prejudgment (shared by many in football) that “the NFL is not ready for an openly gay player” on their team has just closed most football clubs off to the possibility of drafting Sam. How stupid and inane is that? His sexual orientation has no connection to how well he plays or the type of professional he is. The fact that Michael Sam is honored by his Missouri Tiger’s coach and teammates for his abilities and talents proves it is not an issue.
As I mentioned, it is normal to have prejudgments and biases. What is not normal and okay is to make decisions about someone’s worth just because of who they are or what they are about.
In all sports, and especially professional football, players acting like champions and serving as positive role models are extolled and honored. This champion attitude is sadly missing from a majority of leaders and players in the NFL if they will let a good opportunity to draft Michael Sam slip through their fingers. Their out-of-touch prejudgments will close them off to both opportunity and possibility.
Do not let this happen to you. Every day you are exposed to opportunities. Know your prejudgments and examine them. Determine if they serve you or close you off to new ideas, foods, friends, or information. If they do, get rid of them. Your biases and prejudgments limit you. By engaging in possibility thinking, your life will be filled with wonder and greatness and many new things to explore.