I received this advice and wanted to share it with you. Especially during these tough times we are in we all need to show a little more common courtesy and try to be nicer. Everyone is insecure right now and worried about so many things. Be a great leader and don’t forget how important the small gestures are. Be Nice….Lee
Small Gestures Common Courtesy We often feel that we don’t have the time or energy to extend ourselves to others with the small gestures that compose what we call common courtesy. It sometimes seems that this kind of social awareness belongs to the past, to smaller towns and slower times. Yet, when someone extends this kind of courtesy to us, we always feel touched. Someone who lends a helping hand when we are struggling with our groceries makes an impression because many people just walk right by. Even someone who simply makes the effort to look us in the eye, smile, and greet us properly when entering a room stands out of the crowd. It seems these people carry with them the elegance and grace of another time, and we are always thankful for our contact with them. Common courtesy is a small gesture that makes a big difference.
An essential component of common courtesy is awareness and common sense-looking outside yourself to see when someone needs help or acknowledgment. As a courteous person, you are aware that you are walking into a room full of people or that your waiter has arrived to take your order. Then, awareness leads to action. It is usually quite clear what needs to be done-open the door for the woman holding the baby, move your car up two feet so another person can park behind you, acknowledge your sister’s shy boyfriend with a smile and some conversation, apologize if you bump into someone. A third component is to give courtesy freely, without expecting anything in return. People may not even take notice, much less return the kindness, but you can take heart in the fact that you are creating the kind of world you want to live in with your actions.
When you are out in the world, remember to be aware of others, lend your hand when one is needed, and give this help without an ulterior motive. Through these small actions, you make this world a better place in which to live and we all need and want that.
Try to be nicer than usual to everyone today. You will like how that feels. It might even become a daily habit for you…Lee
Lee, if I had one wish that could be granted this Holiday season is that everyone in the world could read this post. The world would be a much better place.
Thanks for the wonderful note.
Merry Christmas to you and Priscilla.
Armand
Great post Lee; reminded me of a Liberty Mutual commercial where one act of kindness motivates another, and another. Imagine a world where the “Golden Rule” is a way of life, not just a principle.
Great post. Have always been amazed by most people’s complete lack of attention to those around them. However, when we actually pay attention to others and show them courtesy lives change for the better. If we paid more attention as a society to the well being of others we would experience so much less violence and misunderstanding. Thanks for your post.