A Touch of Southern Grace : Be A Better You

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Be A Better You

In the society we live in today it seems like we are always in competition: school, work, sports, and even just everyday fun activities. Personally I think competition can be a good thing, anything that pushes you a little or motivates you is a good thing in my book. However, sometimes we forget the most important to be in competition with is ourselves – to strive to be a better person in some way than the one you were last year, last month, last week, or even yesterday.

I feel pretty confident in say that no one wants to look back on their lives and realize that they were the best version of themselves at 20, 30, 40, etc. Granted there is going to come a time when you peak at a certain sport and other physical activities, but you can always strive to be a better individual. It always seems, at least in my case, that I am more capable than I think and never really realize to what point until I push myself. Here are a few simple ways that others and myself can use to improve themselves.

Small Act of Kindness// A small act of kindness can make your day and someone else’s day just a little bit better. From paying for a strangers coffee at Starbucks, stopping to take a picture for someone, picking up an item someone may have dropped and returning it to them, etc. After all, it is the small things that sometimes mean the most to someone.

Read// If I had all the free time in the world I could easily go through a book a day; I do well to read a book every two weeks. Reading is one of those things that forces you to keep learning long after you have been out of school, and every now and then you will come across a book that will alter you perspective.

Smile and Laugh// No one wants to be around a grump or someone who is not fun. Smiling can change your energy level and laughing makes everyone happy {as long as it is an appropriate environment to laugh in}.

Workout// I have to admit that from Thanksgiving to the end of February I pretty much give up my workout routine. Holidays are time consuming and in January and February the Y is always packed; I like to go at the less crowded times. Once March hits though I am back on the work out train and I can always tell a difference, especially mentally.

Listen// It is very easy to get caught up in your own problems, success, and failures, so much to the point that when you are having a conversation with someone who is venting, you rush them along a little bit so you can do your own venting and get their perspective. I am 100% guilty of doing this on more then one occasion. Honestly, when you actively listen to someone else’s problem and try to help them figure the issue you out, you can learn a thing or two your self and help someone else with their problems. So, take a deep breath, be patient, and listen.

Flowers// Ok…ok… flowers don’t really help you to be a better you, but flowers have a way of lightening up a room and making things seem a little brighter.