Thought for the day: February 2,2011
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak.
Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
– Sir Winston Churchill
Many people feel they 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 only belongs to the past, to smaller country style towns and slower times. Yet, when someone extends this type of courtesy to us, we always feel touched. Someone who lends a helping hand when we are struggling with our groceries, or simply lets us go first makes an impression because many people just walk right by, or cut in first. 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 will always make a big difference.
An essential component of common courtesy is awareness and simple common sense-looking beyond yourself. 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 another person 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 community you want to live in with your actions.
When you are out interacting in the world, remember to be aware of others, lend your hand when one is needed, and give this help unconditionally. Through these small actions, you make this world a better place in which to live.
All the best,
Mark J. Speranza
info@MartialArtNy.com
www.MartialArtNy.com
www.iLoveKickboxing.com
www.KidsLoveMartialArts.com
Brilliant thoughts, Mark! Thanks for paying attention to such simple but valuable things.
I read your blog with a pleasure and often have an intention to leave a comment but something stops me. But today I am brave enough to do it.
Thanks again.
Helen - February 3, 2011 at 10:01 am |