We all want to be “good people” as we get older, but it may be simple to lose sight of what that really entails.
It’s not necessary to be polite. It’s not a matter of preserving people’s sentiments.
It takes more effort to be a nice person than we prefer to acknowledge.
However, I’m going to list ten qualities of a good person in this essay that we may all benefit from remembering:
1) Treat others the way you want to be treated.
What you’ll need for this is: A half-jug of goodwill
Despite being a cliche, the statement is always appropriate. The first guideline of being a decent person is to treat others as you would want to be treated.
So, how do you do this every day?
Personally, I make an effort to think things through for a moment before responding. Consider yesterday:
I was really late for an appointment when a guy blocked my vehicle in with his van. I waited and repeatedly honked the horn till he eventually came out.
I was about to deliver my well-rehearsed rant of irritation when I saw his harried countenance and slumped shoulders.
This poor man wasn’t having a good day, I realized. I flashed him a grin and a nod as I drove away, abandoning the quest to “shout at van dude.”
Even if I had caused someone a moment’s worth of difficulty, I would want to be treated with compassion in that circumstance.
The reality is
We can never really understand another person’s struggles. And the world would undoubtedly be a better place if we could spare a moment to practice kindness and restrain our impulses.
2) Always be honest
What you’ll need for this is: A dash of sincerity
Being a nice person isn’t always simple, but since we’re talking about it, I’ll say it anyway.
Honesty causes pain.
You’ll likely encounter resistance when you need to advise your pal that getting married to their cheating lover is a poor idea.
You’ll feel awful when you inform a chef that his meal isn’t worthy of being served at your wedding celebration.
However, here is where using tact becomes important.
Being sincere need not be nasty.
Who knows, though? Maybe your buddy may wake up and find true love instead of her terrible partner.
Perhaps that chef will learn from your candor, develop his abilities further, and return a better competitor in his field.
Therefore, a healthy dosage of honesty is crucial if you want to be a really decent person who inspires others to make great changes. Just make an effort to be nice!
3) Be open to other people’s opinions and ways of life
What you’ll need for this is: A hearty helping of admiration
Most of us live in mixed-race neighborhoods where people of all religions and racial backgrounds coexist. Even if you don’t, there’s a good chance your neighbor or buddy backs a different football team or political party.
Respect for others is an essential component of being a decent person, regardless of the differences.
This implies:
- being open-minded
- Being understanding that not everyone will share your opinions or experiences Being courteous even when you disagree with someone’s ideas
- allowing for polite and calm debate
You see, by showing respect for others, you effectively give them a sense of worth and inclusion.
You also give yourself the opportunity to pick up new skills and meet all sorts of individuals. This promotes positive interactions with others and is crucial for your own personal development.
4) Put yourself in the shoes of others
You’ll need: Plenty and tons of empathy for this.
Empathy, ah. The world would be a dreadful place without it! And having it is crucial to being a decent person.
Empathy is the capacity to comprehend another person’s emotions, even if you have never been in their shoes.
How can you then develop your empathy?
- When someone is speaking to you, pay attention and be present.
- Avoid interrupting others while intently listening (more on this later in the essay).
- Imagine what it would be like to be in their shoes.
- Recognize the difficulties the other person is facing, and provide compassion or assistance if you can.
The fact is, you’ll discover how much more deeply you connect with others when you regularly exercise empathy.
And as a result, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a decent person and an even greater friend—after all, we could all use a sympathetic ear again and then.
5) Hold your hands up when you make a mistake
What you’ll need for this is: Just a little bit of responsibility
Are you honest with yourself?
Do you own your faults and put your hands up when you make a mistake?
If so, you probably already know that you’re a decent person.
You see, accepting responsibility for your own actions is crucial because doing so helps you gain the respect of people and advance as a person.
It is an irrefutable fact that because we are all human, we sometimes make mistakes.
However, it is far preferable to learn from your errors than to place the blame elsewhere.
This brings me to my next point.
