Not everybody has to have an “outgoing” personality. Genuine warmth is a deeper character attribute, one that has more to do with attitude than personality. It means that we add three primary virtues to our character: kindness, openness, and concern.
Let’s be known as those who are unafraid to stand for the absolutes, those facts that are sure and stable. People who have dealings with us will appreciate the fact that our personal character, grounded in absolutes, is “count-on-able.”
In a world full of personal pain, we never give a greater gift than when we show lovingkindness. Unless you can read other people’s hearts, you probably won’t know how much they need your kindness — but love them kindly anyway.
Happiness (the experience of pleasant “happenings”) may or may not be ours at a given moment, but joy is a stronger and deeper quality. Happy or not, there is no excuse for failing to make joyfulness one of our personal attributes.
I urge you to choose the more difficult deed whenever you have the opportunity. Do it with all the boldness you can muster, and you’ll find yourself growing in ways that may surprise you. Don’t run away from choices that would require boldness!
When people know we can be trusted to do our duty, no matter what, their relationship with us is surrounded and supported by trust. Not needing to wonder what we might do (or not do), our family and friends can relax in their relationship with us.
Maintenance requires an appreciation of the thing that needs to be maintained. If you take your health for granted and don’t recognize its value, you won’t do what’s necessary to maintain it. Maintenance also requires vigilance and hard work.
There is a uniqueness that should be appreciated about life. Each day presents us with unique delights, and we should not resist their one-of-a-kind appeal. “Seize from every moment its unique novelty, and do not prepare your joys” (André Gide).
People need us to give them some assurance. If we can’t do that, then perhaps we should just do the courteous thing and remain silent. After all, people don’t need our doubts and confusions — they already have enough of their own.
Bravery is not just needed by soldiers, law enforcement officers, and rescue workers. It is not just for situations in which our physical lives are in jeopardy. We need it everyday in all those situations where doing what is right involves some risk.
