Here we are. The last Good Friday of 2012. We've touched on a lot of etiquette topics--how to ask for a favor, how to address a mistake, the art of listening, TMI, cursing to name a few. But at the end of the day, proper etiquette boils down to one thing: being considerate and thoughtful of your fellow human beings.
But if you didn't follow very etiquette rule to a T this year, be gentle with yourself. Sometimes we focus on the one imperfection and forget to see the bigger picture. Try to commit to one or two things--whether it's listening, being on time, apologizing when you've made a mistake--that you'll do better going forward.
More than anything else, commit to being kind and courteous to everyone you meet and everything else will fall into place.
Dec 28, 2012
Dec 21, 2012
#312: The Best Gifts (Friday, December 21)
This week many people were focused on the "end of days" and preparing for the apocalypse. Although I don't think most people actually believed the world would end, it provided an opportunity to clean house and re-prioritize.
As we approach the holiday and in the wake of the unspeakable tragedy last Friday in Sandy Hook, the "world ending" was a great reminder about the gifts that are truly important:
As we approach the holiday and in the wake of the unspeakable tragedy last Friday in Sandy Hook, the "world ending" was a great reminder about the gifts that are truly important:
- Time
- Consideration
- Empathy
- Selflessness
- Kindness
Those are the gifts I'm giving and hoping to receive this year.
Dec 14, 2012
#311: Fortitude (Friday, December 14)
I recently had to ask a few people to define the word "fortitude". I was surprised by how many people didn't know what it meant.
I love this word. I think it's one of those words that speak to one's character and how they handle challenges and adversity in their lives.
You can have individuals who experience the same horrible situation in completely different ways. Some will completely break down and let it control their lives; others will work through it by any means necessary. The latter defines fortitude.
How will you respond when faced with adversity?
Dec 7, 2012
#310: Thanks for Your Concern? (Friday, December 7)
An acquaintance was recently telling a story to a group of people (myself included) about an accident he'd been in. He recounted in the incident in gory detail, including how surprised and thankful he was to have walked away virtually unscathed, considering that his car was completely totaled.
Almost everyone in the group echoed his sentiment, saying how glad they were that he was ok. Almost everyone. One person decided to comment on the car--asking if my acquaintance's insurance would cover the damage, would he be able to get a similar replacement, how unfortunate it was that he'd just bought it and it was already totaled given the amount of money he'd spent in getting custom work done.
It was so awkward to be there at that moment. Especially since the offender and many others in the group didn't even realize his faux pas.
Etiquette Rule #9457: Material things are irrelevant, especially in situations of life or death.
Almost everyone in the group echoed his sentiment, saying how glad they were that he was ok. Almost everyone. One person decided to comment on the car--asking if my acquaintance's insurance would cover the damage, would he be able to get a similar replacement, how unfortunate it was that he'd just bought it and it was already totaled given the amount of money he'd spent in getting custom work done.
It was so awkward to be there at that moment. Especially since the offender and many others in the group didn't even realize his faux pas.
Etiquette Rule #9457: Material things are irrelevant, especially in situations of life or death.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
