Be the Kind of Person You Would Want to Meet
The title of this article is one of my favorites. It doesn’t mean that you should change the essence of who you are, because you should be proud of yourself. But I think it’s important to think about what you give to others and how you feel when you receive something from someone else.
We all want to have positive influences in our lives. I’m sure you seek friendships and relationships that inspire you, but are you a positive influence in other people’s lives? It sounds cliché, but you only receive what you give.
Admiring others is what makes us humble, because if we didn’t have anyone to admire, we would fall into arrogance.
You transmit the good and the bad
“Cultivate only the habits that you are willing should master you.”
-Elbert Hubbard-
Positive and negative habits are contagious, just like negative thoughts. The good news is that personal growth, a positive lifestyle, and happiness are also contagious.
The way you live affects the people around you. That’s why it’s important to be the kind of person that you would want to meet and include in your life.
The principal habit that you should develop is learning to show the love that you feel for those around you. Most people won’t remember what you said to them, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel. Show your love by guiding, supporting, and being there for the people you love.
Be respectful and friendly
Friendliness is a must. There is no group or characteristic that justifies poor treatment or a lack of respect. Treat everyone with the same respect that you’d give to your grandmother and the same patience you’d have with your children.
Of course it’s not so easy with people who don’t give you a reason to feel sympathetic. In these cases, remember that you can’t change people just because you don’t like the way they are. Try to accept the person the way they are and give them the support that they need.
“‘If you want to be loved, love and be loveable.”
-Benjamin Franklin
Forget and continue on your journey
Resentment, hate, and negative emotions are poison to the soul. It only breeds more suffering.
Learn to forgive those who hurt you and be free so that you can continue on your journey. This doesn’t mean that you’ll erase the past and forget everything. It just means that you’ll stop living with resentment and pain so that you can live your life fully.
Would you like to surround yourself with bitter people, or people who are at peace with themselves and those around them? When you waste less time hating the people who hurt you, you’ll have more time to enjoy and love the people you care about.
Keep your promises and tell the truth
If you make a promise, follow through! Don’t promise anything that is out of your control. It’s better to be honest from the start.
Think about the times that somebody hurt you by lying to you, deceiving you, or tricking you in some way. If you didn’t like that they played with your feelings, don’t do the same to others.
“Life is quite simply a matter of cruising along in your own little boat through a constantly changing but never-ending stream of promises. And how many do we remember?”
-Henning Mankell-
It’s better to promise less and do more. Listen, hug, kiss, smile, and be there for the people you care about.
We all want to know that we are important to someone, so show your feelings. It’s also important to pay attention to what other people want so you don’t bother them when they need time alone.
Try to be the kind of person you’d want to be around
Focus your energy on being your best self. Before you expect someone to want to be your friend, you should love yourself.
What kind of person would you like to spend time with? Who do you enjoy waking up to every morning? Could you be that person, or would you have to change something? It might be scary, but it’s worth it in the end.