On Being the Better Person
I say it often, “Be the better person!” In fact, people are probably sick of hearing me say that every time they come to me with a struggle they are having with another person. I admit, I do say be the better person a lot. But look, there is more to being the better person than mere words. I like being the better person. The truth is… being the better person is one of my most useful life tools for survival. |
I never thought I would quote Bill Clinton but I like what he said about being a better person:
“If you live long enough, you’ll make mistakes. But if you learn from them, you’ll be a better person. It’s how you handle adversity, not how it affects you. The main thing is never quit, never quit, never quit."
--William J. Clinton
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Listen, when I say be the better person, I don’t mean that you should be full of yourself and act like you are all that and a bag of chips. I also don’t mean that you should roll over and let people beat you up or belittle you in any way. No, being the better person has a lot to do with how you analyze and respond to things that happen in life.
For example, it is good to try to see things from other people’s perspective. Think… “How would I feel if X was happening to me?” "How would I feel if someone said X to me?" Consider the other person’s point of view before responding. When you do this, you will see that your reaction becomes more well-rounded and appropriate for the situation.
Don’t be a target!
Another tactic about being the better person is to never react to things people say or do. Don’t put your feelings out there - on a platter for people to squash you down to the ground. Many people love to put other people down, especially if they think you are an easy target. You’re the better person when you are not jumping up and down, yelling and screaming at people. When you are yelling and screaming at people, it only makes YOU appear to look like a child throwing a temper tantrum. If there is any yelling and screaming going on, let it be the OTHER person. Let THEM look childish instead of you. Granted, you don’t deserve to get yelled at, but neither do other people. Let them act like the out of control child with a temper tantrum. In doing this, you will appear to be the more mature person that you are. You will, essentially be the better person.
In today's society, people can be ultra-mean. But, you do not have to stoop down to their level. Be the better person at all times and you will find it easier to handle the ups and downs of other people and their meanness.
Video: Motivation Monday #1 - Be a Better Person
This guy, Stu Crompton, says all the things I say on a regular basis. In this short video (3:37), he talks about how we should:
- Stop judging people – He says, “If you’re going to judge somebody, make sure you’re dammed perfect yourself.”
- Surround yourself with positive people.
- Rid yourself of all toxic people.
- Stop with indirect insults.
- Don’t try to make everybody happy. You can’t please everybody. Do what makes you happy.
- Set lifetime goals.
- “Always be looking forward, don’t dwell on the past.”
Copyright Marlene C. Bertrand 2017