The tragedy of judgement

One of my best friends, one of the greatest guys I know, almost didn't come over to my house because of a preconceived notion about who I am. Had he listened to his first thought about me we wouldn't be discussing politics, religion, life or love. We also wouldn't be sharing some of the best times I've had since college all because of a judgement of a person he had only met once before. I have almost missed out on some great relationships in my life because of my own judgements. I almost didn't date my wife, almost didn't start hanging out with one of the guys who ended up a groomsman at my wedding. I wonder how many friendships, girlfriends and better family relationships I've missed out on because I have made judgements about people before I really took the time to get to know them without bias or pre-decided ideas of who they are.
So I ask the question, what would it take for you to drop your mentality of judging first and getting to know the person second? It has taken me a long time of working on this to be crappy at it. I still make judgements, I try not to but it is truly human nature. The only thing that has helped me is understanding that I'm making a judgement on nothing and trying to understand why I'm feeling that way. I often find my first judgement is way off.
It doesn't matter what someones race, religion, politics, waist size, boob size, annual income, sexual orientation, or any other thing is. We are all individuals, and that's what makes this world great. There is a never ending supply of people to meet and get to know and love.
Love, that's a logical thing to bring into a conversation like this, so is peace, harmony and god. Well to be frank, forget the other 3, peace is impossible harmony is improbable and god is... a whole different discussion so lets just talk about love. Love to me makes everything in life worth while. The love of your family or friends, the love of a hobby, the love of a stranger or someone you have know for years. It's that feeling of happiness just to be around another person or thing that make our life have meaning. Love, in some forms, must be learned. Loving a neighbor who plays loud music you don't like, loving a in-law who hates your guts or loving a person who has insulted on the deepest level you can think of. loving these people is hard, often seeming like its not worth the effort. I'm not saying to hang around with them or call them up and tell them your deepest secrets but love them as a person, love them for the things they have brought into your life. The lessons their actions have taught you, for the people you met because of them or simply love them for the giant flaws they see in them selves that they hope the world doesn't see. love them, even if they hate you, love them. when they kick you out of their house for being different, love them. when they say horrible things about you, love them. I'm not suggesting you crusade for them to like you, leave them be, find another soul on this planet (there are over 6 billion of them) to enjoy, but never hold hatred in your heart. it wont do you any good,
writing this I have realized many things I have been holding on to, or judgements I have passed and I hope I can say I have now let them go. Not only have I judged but I have been on the receiving end of many judgements. I know my flaws, I know the problems I have and the problems that some people think I have. you may dislike me, you may hate me, you may think I am the greatest evil in the world but just know I don't want to judge you and if I can avoid it I will. I hope you can learn to love me like I do you, I hope you can learn to see the person inside your judgement and realize that I could be a great part of your life just like you could be a great part of mine.