From the time we are young, we are taught what we should believe and determine what defines us as a person. People are defined by their culture, beliefs, morals, political views, orientation, race and sex, among other things. I'm warning you, this post may be filled with unpopular opinions but this is my blog and I'm not walking on eggshells for anyone.
I will never understand why people care so much about the choices others make that don't effect them. If it does not affect you're day to day life, then I really think you should just stop worrying about it. Its fine if it bothers you, I get it. It's fine to vent, we all do it. I'm not writing this post to say I'm perfect. I am perfectly guilty of not understanding a choice someone has made and becoming frustrated by it. Humans get annoyed and don't always agree with what others do and think. BUT, making a long Facebook status or slapping a bumper sticker on your car is NOT going to fix anything.
Your best bet is to accept that you cannot change the matter and live your life.
Okay, let's get to the nitty gritty of this post.
I live my life by one rule: be a good person.
I know, totally subjective. I was not raised in a religious household, which usually surprises a lot of people based on how I act. However, I am lucky enough to have parents who raised me to believe what I want to believe and above all be a good person.
I may not accomplish all of these rules every day, but I try my hardest.
Anyway...
Here are my guide to being a good person:
1. Help when you can. If you see a person upset, reach out to them. If someone is struggling, give what you can. Even if it is a text message, an encouraging word, an hour of your time or buying someone lunch...just help.
2. Bouncing off of that, don't deny help to someone just because it goes against your beliefs. The majority of us have so much, and there's so many that have so little. Be the bigger person and look past their flaws and just help.
3. Be a shoulder to cry on and an open ear. Comfort those who need it and offer a hug. I hate seeing anyone upset. And I know what it feels like to be upset and alone. It sucks, and I don't want others to feel that way.
4. Be compassionate and empathetic. Think about how you would feel if someone did that to you...or your mom, or your best friend. No one wants to be treated badly. I know its hard not to want to seek revenge when someone did you wrong, but two wrongs don't make a right. Take the high road, the view is so much better up there.
5. Respect people. Respect their beliefs, their belongings, etc. Be open minded to others. You wouldn't like if someone disrespected you, so don't do it to someone else. I don't always agree with people's beliefs or choices but who am I to tell them that they shouldn't do something or feel a certain way.
5. Think before you speak. You know those people who are so honest that it hurts? Like when a friend tells you that you shouldn't be wearing those shorts because your thighs jiggle? Please, don't be that rude. I love when people justify it as being honest. Yeah, being a honest is a good personality trait but that doesn't mean you should be brutal.
6. Use your manners. Say please and thank you. Hold the door open for someone. Smile.
7. I stick to my morals. That includes not being a drunk mess, not letting someone use me and not settling for less than I deserve. I don't want to be the average college girl getting drunk and hooking up with 5 different people each weekend. I respect myself enough to not act in that manner.
8. Be honest. Not the rude kind of honest, though. If you find a wallet on the ground, try to find its owner. Tell the truth.
9. Character is who you are in the dark. What I mean by that is who you are when no one is watching. Don't be a "good person" when people are around only so you get praise. Being a good person and feeling it inside your heart is all the praise you need.
10. Be considerate. I usually put others before myself. Sometimes I do it to people who don't appreciate it and it makes me feel bad. But, at least I know I tried.
11. Be loyal. Keep your word and your promises. If you can't, be honest and explain why. Be committed and dependable.
12. Do not use people. Don't use them for their advantages, material possessions or personal gain. That's just rude.
13. Encourage those you love to reach their full potential.
14. Have integrity. Don't compromise your morals or ethical principles for anyone or anything.
15. Be sensitive. Be mindful that your words or actions might hurt another person.
16. Be real. I've never been one to pretend to be someone else. I'm me and not everyone will appreciate it but that's life.
17. Be sympathetic. Don't be rude to someone who is upset. Do not make them feel worse. People have done this to me before and it is a horrible feeling. Out of anger I have done this before to people and I have felt so terrible afterwards.
18. Give others the benefit of the doubt. I try to do this and think of reasons why something happened the way it did. It is easy to think something was done in a malicious manner but it usually isn't. However, I am at fault of justifying people's behavior when it was just plain mean.
19. Be self aware. Apologize when you're wrong. Admit your faults. Recognize your flaws.
20. Trust your gut. If it feels wrong, it is. If it feels good, it is.
There is so so so much more I could say on this topic...
Perhaps another time!
What is something you strive to do every day to be a good person?
I will never understand why people care so much about the choices others make that don't effect them. If it does not affect you're day to day life, then I really think you should just stop worrying about it. Its fine if it bothers you, I get it. It's fine to vent, we all do it. I'm not writing this post to say I'm perfect. I am perfectly guilty of not understanding a choice someone has made and becoming frustrated by it. Humans get annoyed and don't always agree with what others do and think. BUT, making a long Facebook status or slapping a bumper sticker on your car is NOT going to fix anything.
Your best bet is to accept that you cannot change the matter and live your life.
Okay, let's get to the nitty gritty of this post.
I live my life by one rule: be a good person.
I know, totally subjective. I was not raised in a religious household, which usually surprises a lot of people based on how I act. However, I am lucky enough to have parents who raised me to believe what I want to believe and above all be a good person.
I may not accomplish all of these rules every day, but I try my hardest.
Anyway...
Here are my guide to being a good person:
1. Help when you can. If you see a person upset, reach out to them. If someone is struggling, give what you can. Even if it is a text message, an encouraging word, an hour of your time or buying someone lunch...just help.
2. Bouncing off of that, don't deny help to someone just because it goes against your beliefs. The majority of us have so much, and there's so many that have so little. Be the bigger person and look past their flaws and just help.
3. Be a shoulder to cry on and an open ear. Comfort those who need it and offer a hug. I hate seeing anyone upset. And I know what it feels like to be upset and alone. It sucks, and I don't want others to feel that way.
4. Be compassionate and empathetic. Think about how you would feel if someone did that to you...or your mom, or your best friend. No one wants to be treated badly. I know its hard not to want to seek revenge when someone did you wrong, but two wrongs don't make a right. Take the high road, the view is so much better up there.
5. Respect people. Respect their beliefs, their belongings, etc. Be open minded to others. You wouldn't like if someone disrespected you, so don't do it to someone else. I don't always agree with people's beliefs or choices but who am I to tell them that they shouldn't do something or feel a certain way.
5. Think before you speak. You know those people who are so honest that it hurts? Like when a friend tells you that you shouldn't be wearing those shorts because your thighs jiggle? Please, don't be that rude. I love when people justify it as being honest. Yeah, being a honest is a good personality trait but that doesn't mean you should be brutal.
6. Use your manners. Say please and thank you. Hold the door open for someone. Smile.
7. I stick to my morals. That includes not being a drunk mess, not letting someone use me and not settling for less than I deserve. I don't want to be the average college girl getting drunk and hooking up with 5 different people each weekend. I respect myself enough to not act in that manner.
8. Be honest. Not the rude kind of honest, though. If you find a wallet on the ground, try to find its owner. Tell the truth.
9. Character is who you are in the dark. What I mean by that is who you are when no one is watching. Don't be a "good person" when people are around only so you get praise. Being a good person and feeling it inside your heart is all the praise you need.
10. Be considerate. I usually put others before myself. Sometimes I do it to people who don't appreciate it and it makes me feel bad. But, at least I know I tried.
11. Be loyal. Keep your word and your promises. If you can't, be honest and explain why. Be committed and dependable.
12. Do not use people. Don't use them for their advantages, material possessions or personal gain. That's just rude.
13. Encourage those you love to reach their full potential.
14. Have integrity. Don't compromise your morals or ethical principles for anyone or anything.
15. Be sensitive. Be mindful that your words or actions might hurt another person.
16. Be real. I've never been one to pretend to be someone else. I'm me and not everyone will appreciate it but that's life.
17. Be sympathetic. Don't be rude to someone who is upset. Do not make them feel worse. People have done this to me before and it is a horrible feeling. Out of anger I have done this before to people and I have felt so terrible afterwards.
18. Give others the benefit of the doubt. I try to do this and think of reasons why something happened the way it did. It is easy to think something was done in a malicious manner but it usually isn't. However, I am at fault of justifying people's behavior when it was just plain mean.
19. Be self aware. Apologize when you're wrong. Admit your faults. Recognize your flaws.
20. Trust your gut. If it feels wrong, it is. If it feels good, it is.
There is so so so much more I could say on this topic...
Perhaps another time!
What is something you strive to do every day to be a good person?
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