Learning to be "considerate"

Today I heard that some doctor was criticizing Governor Chris Christie (New Jersey's Governor) about his weight. This doctor said she worries about the Republican “dying in office.” Well, she should mind her own business and be more considerate. To me this was an inappropriate comment. But this happens everyday. People make hurtful statements about others all the time.

Today my husband told me that in the bus a group of teenagers were very loud and rude and ready to fight with one another. He normally bikes to work, but due to the weather he decided to take public transportation. I'm sure he regretted this decision. When you ride buses and other means of public transportation in Philadelphia, it's common to encounter inconsiderate people that yell, curse, act irrationally and are simply obnoxious. They truly have no consideration or respect for others. It is really frustrating and sad. Especially when many of them are young people with no manners, that treat each other with such disrespect.

The truth is they don't value or respect themselves, and by yelling, cursing and wanting everyone to hear them - they are letting us know how insecure and in need of attention they are. Sad, isn't it? They have to attract negative attention, because this is all the attention they get. They have to resort to this annoying behavior to make themselves heard. At home they probably never received positive reinforcement, love, respect, and attention. Ehow.com mentions that "when people are considerate of each other, they make interactions proceed more smoothly. It's important for everyone to learn to be thoughtful of the people around them in order to avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings."I completely agree! You feel so much better when you are kind and considerate to others.

Read more: How to Be Considerate | eHow.com 

What you do (how you act) and what you say, affect others in a positive or negative way; and then, it affects us in a positive or negative way. How we act and how we behave do have consequences, and these consequences bounce back to us (just like a boomerang). We must be mindful of our behavior, of our interaction with others, of how others perceive us, of how we affect others and try our best to improve ourselves.

There's a cute story about a father and a child walking in the mountains, and the son discover the "echo" for the first time. The lesson the father imparts to the child is the following: "People call this echo, but really this is life. It gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions. If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspect of life; life will give you back everything you have given to it." 

Life is an echo
What you send out - comes back
What you sow - you reap
What you give - you get
What you see in others - exists in you
Remember life is an echo
It always gives you back what you give out
Life is a mirror of your actions
So give goodness

Life is a mirror of your actions.
If you want more love, give more love!
If you want more kindness, give more kindness!
If you want understanding and respect, give understanding and respect!
If you want people to be patient and respectful to you, give patience and respect!

Call it karma, or call it whatever you want - but this is how life works! It's very sad that so many people don't get this. That so many are oblivious about how they make others feel, and how rude and inconsiderate they are. Maya Angelou once said (one of my favorite quotes):

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." 

Let's keep this in mind...

The Secrets of a Happy Life

THE SECRETS TO A HAPPY LIFE ARE TO:

Love.

FORGIVE.

Know God.

Work hard.

Be healthy.

Be positive.

Be of service.

Do your best.

Love your life.

Accept what is.

Have no regrets.

Be free of worry.

Appreciate others.

Have peace of mind.

Not assume anything.

Get along with others.

Do the things you love.

See the best in people.

Not take life so seriously.

Not take things personally.

Love others unconditionally.

Watch a spectacular sunset.

Be happy with who you are.

Take deep breaths and relax.

Look at the brighter side of life.

Choose peace in every situation.

Love what you do, whatever it is.

Never lose your sense of wonder.

Create harmony wherever you go.

Have no desires, only preferences.

Be grateful for your many blessings.

Not worry about pleasing everyone.

Be yourself and listen to your heart.

Take time to "stop and smell the roses."

Realize that you create your own happiness.

Take responsibility for the reality you create.

Be passionate about your life and possibilities.

Not compare your life with the lives of others.

Appreciate nature and the beauty of the world.

Stay awake and honor your own inner knowing.

Do whatever you do with all your heart and soul.

Be kind, compassionate, understanding and patient.

Stay true to yourself and to your beliefs with and open-mind.

Live, love, strive, drive and survive with every fiber of your being.

Surround yourself with positive people who you love and make you

smile.

Not blame others, but take responsibility for the bad times as well as the

good.

Never forget what it's like to be able to look at the world through the

eyes of a child.

Stand on top of a real high place on a sunny day and marvel at the

wonder before you.

Know yourself; because when you know yourself, you can love yourself,

and when you love yourself,

you will come to love everyone and everything around you…

you will love life and you will know God.