How the world treats us is often a reflection of how we treat the world. I tend to receive general kindness from people. This kindness, I believe, goes back to the concept that we get back what we give out. This is the demonstration of the law of attraction, which states that all your thoughts and all the emotions connected to your thoughts will become your reality. In other words, everything you currently have in your life has been attracted to you through your mind. This is the way that the universe works. If you stay mindful to project kindness, love and gratitude you will surely receive these things in return.
Life is a cycle of energy. Just like the flow of the ocean, it ebbs and flows but you can only get in energy once you have given it out. To know that you should be thoughtful, kind and thankful is one thing, but practicing it can be more difficult. I’ve put together some starter tips that you can use to begin to see the relationship between what energy you put out and the energy you receive.
Know those who serve you and support you.
Take conscious effort to get to know people who are responsible for making sure that things in your life are running smoothly. Whether it’s a janitor at your work, the bank teller, the lawn care guy, the cashier you see daily at the convenience store, your neighbors or anyone else that has a reoccurring role in your life, take an interest in the lives of these people who make an impact on your daily life. You don’t need to know their whole life history; just showing a genuine interest in the person lets them know you find their roles valuable. .
I make it a point to look at the cashier’s name tag when I go shopping. I use some casual banter in our exchange and at the end always thank them using their name. I can’t tell you that this gives them a lasting impression of me, but I took the time to recognize them as a person not just “the checkout girl at the grocery store.” Any opportunity you have to make someone’s day better, go for it. It makes a world of difference in your day too.
Be the change you wish to see in others
I believe that common courtesies have become fading habits. One reason for this is that our lives have accelerated through technology and continual strives for productivity. It’s amazing to me how few people take the time to be polite anymore. We’re no longer holding doors open, shaking hands, or saying hello to people as we pass by. It’s easy to forget (with your face down texting on your cell phone) while walking into the gas station that someone is behind you and let the door slam in their face. Often, someone will hold the door for me and it means all the difference that someone took the time to think of me. I have always found small courtesies such as these to be gentlemanly or ladylike and have always tried to do the same (except car doors, I always fail at remembering those)
Never pass up an opportunity to serve others. If you cross someone who needs help dead battery in the parking lot, or flat tire on the side of the road and you’re in a position to help, at least make the offer. You’d want them to offer assistance if the position was flipped. It’s easy to complain about what the world is turning into and not be the change you wish to see in others. Don’t let that happen.
Show gratitude for the service you get.
While you are on your daily routine, handling the business of living, be sure to take no one for granted. People make the world go round. My world spins because of the service I receive from many different places, and I am deeply grateful. Saying thank you for everything you receive is not only easy, it’s free, and it goes a long way. Offering a “thank you” or “you’re welcome” is also, sadly, very easily overlooked. Remember to show your appreciation for all that you get, be it product or service.
I had a great lunch a few weeks ago. The food was great, and the service was top notch for a casual dining restaurant during a lunch rush. The server, a middle aged man, was not only attentive but also personable and made the experience wonderful. Forty-five minutes after I left, I realized I had forgotten to tip him. I very quickly got in the car, went back to the restaurant, approached the waiter and asked for forgiveness. He made no mention that I didn’t tip. He even seemed confused as to what I meant as he politely accepted it and continued to go about his job.
It made me feel instantly better, and it was augmented by the cashier at the front of the restaurant making mention that it was really great of me to come all the way back just to tip the server.
I smiled and said, “How could I not? He did a great job.”
Regardless of what happens remember to show how thankful you are for even the smallest kindnesses. People are not required to treat you well, but when they do it makes your experience better.
Problems are unrealized opportunities
I have spent the better part of the last ten years studying entrepreneurship which is founded on one critical fact. Every problem is an opportunity. If you can solve someone’s problem then you have a means of creating value for someone else. This is how business works. It has taken me a little longer to realize that this is how all relationships work. People unite together in relationships, families, friendships, and networks in order to serve and help one another. In essence to solve each other’s problems. Realizing this is a huge factor in every interaction because it helps you grasp how to give more value to the relationships that you have.
Are you the kind of person that focuses solely on the problem? The mind can get so bogged down with negative views that you will only see what’s wrong and never see a solution. Some people live their whole lives this way. Try to stay solution focused when posed with life’s hurdles and you will suddenly see endless opportunities to create value in your life and the lives of those around you. Amazing things happen to those who can see how to solve each other’s problems.
Give when it counts.
And give without counting. People often have a scarcity mindset that holds back their generosity. I have never given anything away that I have later missed. It’s always been a great feeling letting it go than having kept it. I’ve also been blessed by the generosity of others in many of the same ways. I feel a distinct relationship between my mindset on giving away and getting back. In the end it’s all just flowing energy.
This goes for anything you can think of. I make it a point to give my spare change to charity all the time. Around the holidays I give it to the Salvation Army’s bell ringers outside the grocery store. I mean to give blood more often than I do but even that’s easy to give, my body will make more. You can’t take anything with you when your time comes; all you can do in this life is give. Give often and give when it counts.
You’ll never know the impact you make on the world. There will be times when the slightest gesture which is nothing to someone will have a meaningful impact on your life. A good friend of mine calls them “magic moments”. He describes them as times of vivid enlightenment that can be brought on by any conversation or action. These moments can be remarkable for one person and yet seemingly ordinary for another.
Magic moments can also be hugely benevolent or destructive, depending on the impact they leave on the perceiver. Since you never know when they are going to occur it’s best to always be striving to show kindness, love and gratitude for all that is around you. The complex system that makes up the world around you is actually very delicate. Honor that and treat it well.
