One of the things I intend to instill in my son starting now, and as he grows older, is that people are people no matter what.

Skin color, hair color, eye color, clothes, car. You know the list. These things don’t matter. They don’t make a person who they are. And so it’s not right to judge them by it.

You should always give a person the benefit of the doubt. Give them a second chance to make a first impression.

And all that jazz.

Except…

Have you ever met someone for the first time, and just it felt off, like something just isn’t right, but you can’t exactly put your finger on it?

Have you ever felt shivers run up and down your spine, only to turn around and find a stranger looking at you in an odd, not-so-pleasant way?

Have you ever walked by someone on the street and felt something, deep down, that just gave you the chills?

Yea, me too. And I’ve learned to trust that feeling. That instinct. That intuition.

Call if whatever you will, but it’s a signal that something isn’t right. Maybe the person is a danger to you. Maybe they are eying up your purse. Scouting out your car. Surveying your house.

Or maybe they are a threat to your child.

I guess that what I’m trying to say is that as I teach the kiddo about respecting others, about not judging based on how they look, I’m going to throw in a but.

And it’s a big one.

Respect others, don’t judge based on appearance alone, BUT…

If anyone ever gives you a bad feeling, remove yourself from the situation. Don’t make a scene {unless there is immediate danger}. Don’t judge harshly. But listen to your gut. Trust it. And follow it.

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Have you ever been in a situation where you just didn’t feel right? Something inside of you was sounding warning bells, and you didn’t even know why? How did you handle it?

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This post is proudly linked up with Bigger Picture Moments, hosted by Undercover Mother this week.

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