1
"There are things that you will see here that you will not agree with. I ask you not to judge, because this is one school of thought out of many, and we are here by their grace." Wise and poignant words spoken by someone I well regard. I took that on board, understanding completely what this person was saying. I went on, did what I had to do without judgement, but also with an awareness that while we may not agree with what we see, sometimes this is all people know. It isn't necessarily what WE would do or how WE would do something, but it isn't necessarily wrong either... No laws were being broken, it was simply a different school of thought we were being exposed to.

It is what it is.

My silence was questioned and my answer was simply that this was one way of doing things and my place was not to judge. On top of that, we were asked not to. Did I agree with it? Of course not. But I did respect the request, and was not going to cut off my nose to spite my face - or impair the opportunities of others in the future. My silence was certainly not that of complicity or ignorance. I simply didn't judge. I understood the angst of those around me though, and how they railed against their ideals being challenged (we are allowed to do that, too).
 
Not judging something/someone/a situation that doesn't sit well with our own ideals is hard. We tend to want to bag and tag everything so it fits into our lives without issue and in complete harmony with all the things we have learned throughout life. That works for you as an individual. But what happens when your ideals clash with someone whose ideals and learnings are completely at odds with our own?

The first thing I tend to think about is how it affects me. My life. Me personally. Is anyone or anything being harmed by the definition of the law? Is anyone or anything being harmed by moral definition? How many different schools of thought are out there for the situation I found myself in? What of the bigger picture?? They know what they know and believe (as do I), and they do the best they can with it (as do I). How would I feel were I at the receiving end of their judgement, just because I don't fit into their little box of ideals? If nothing/no one is being hurt by these ideals, then who am I to judge? I have simply been shown a door to another lesson about acceptance and compassion. Observe, learn, appreciate, respect.

"Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding." - Mahatma Ghandi

 2
"This happens on a day to day basis. You just learn to deal with it." Words spoken by a professional about a purchase in what was proving to be misleading advertising/false pretenses.

It is what it is.

But does it have to be? The powerlessness that comes with those words is incredible. This professional just confirmed that what was advertised was false and misleading, however, minimised the situation by basically saying it happens all the time and there is nothing that can be done. This is where I ask myself, "Can I change this, or am I going to just sit back and let it consume me?" Sometimes it is just easier to walk away, but walking away means letting it go. Releasing to the Universe, forgiving the wrongdoing and moving on. But if it was legally wrong and I am able to make the difference; stand up and be counted - would I?

I think this one is largely subjective, but my point is: can you let it go? If the answer is yes, then learn the lesson, forgive and move on. If not, then be the change. Set the benchmark of expectation that you want to live by. Who knows, you may even set a benchmark that others want to follow!

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Ghandi