How we can all use Pokémon Go to improve our lives:

Watching everyone walking around town on their phones looking for Pokémon can certainly elicit many judgmental feelings:

• “People are just on their phones all the time!”
• “Don’t they have something better to do?!”
• “I wouldn’t be doing that because…
  • …I’m too busy.”
  • …I have more important things to do.”
  • …I’m not immature.”
• “What a stupid game.”

An so on, and so on.  But there are some really great things coming out of this gaming phenomenon.  The Chive posted a gallery about not being a “Pokémon hater,” and some of the stories shared were downright heartwarming.  You can see the gallery here, which includes personal stories of mothers watching their children be social and going outside for the first time in years, animal shelters having people walk dogs while playing the game, and children’s hospitals encouraging the public to play the game in a way that benefits the kids who can’t leave the hospital.  I personally met a small group of new people (roughly my age) last weekend through a friend who had simply started hanging out with the group because they were playing the game.  Good times were had!

Basically it comes down to this, although judging others is certainly something we naturally do, in most cases it doesn’t do us much good.  In the case of Pokémon, it really can be seen purely as judging others for having fun.  The game seems to be uniting so many people and facilitating exercise, getting outside, exploring, and being social.  If we choose to “hate on” Pokémon, that’s fine, but in doing so we alienate ourselves from anyone who enjoys the game and any of the potential positive benefits it may bring.

If we are non-judgmental, we can at least find ourselves open to the possible positives and place ourselves in a much better position to make new friends and feel more apart of our communities.

Now, I’m not advocating for everyone to play the game, I’m just suggesting that if we can avoid judging others for playing it, we can benefit from the game just as much (or more) than they do.  If you’re as interested as I am in how to work on judgmentalism in general, I found Leo Babauta’s article which outlined his “DUAL” method and I’d like to share it with you:

Don’t pass judgment. If you find yourself being judgmental, stop yourself. This takes a greater awareness than we usually have, so the first step (and an important one) is to observe your thoughts for a few days, trying to notice when you’re being judgmental. This can be a difficult step. Remind yourself to observe.

Once you’re more aware, you can then stop yourself when you feel yourself being judgmental. Then move to the next step.

Understand. Instead of judging someone for what he’s done or how he looks, try instead to understand the person. Put yourself in their shoes. Try to imagine their background. If possible, talk to them. Find out their backstory. Everyone has one. If not, try to imagine the circumstances that might have led to the person acting or looking like they do.

Accept. Once you begin to understand, or at least think you kind of understand, try to accept. Accept that person for who he is, without trying to change him. Accept that he will act the way he does, without wanting him to change. The world is what it is, and as much as you try, you can only change a little bit of it. It will continue to be as it is long after you’re gone. Accept that, because otherwise, you’re in for a world of frustration.

Love. Once you’ve accepted someone for who he is, try to love him. Even if you don’t know him. Even if you’ve hated him in the past. Love him as a brother, or love her as a sister, no matter who they are, old or young, light skinned or dark, male or female, rich or poor.

What good will loving someone do? Your love will likely only be limited. But it could have an affect on two people: yourself, and possibly on the person you’ve found love for. Loving others will serve to make yourself happier. Trust me on this one. And loving others can change the lives of others, if you choose to express that love and take action on it. I can’t guarantee what will happen, but it can be life-changing.

Stay humble, grow stronger!

-Steven