How to Be a Better You: Developing Good Behaviors That Enhance the Lives of Others

I don't know about anyone else, but one of my main goals as a parent is setting a good example for my children, that includes respect for others. I don't want to be the mother of the jerk in the room and I hope I am successfully avoiding that. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" Luke 6:31 is exactly what I am talking about. I can't walk around being rude and disrespectful and think I am going to be given respect or that my kids are going to be inherently kind, respectful people. I can't expect that my children will deviate from the example I have set for them. There are many small things we can do that could have a huge impact on everyone we encounter.

Always, I repeat always greet those you come into contact with. Sometimes it's hard, I am having a rough morning, always morning after I make it over the morning hump it's all good, I have a lot on my mind, I am nervous, whatever the case may be, someone else may be worse off than you. Not only does a friendly greeting help my own move improve, it can also help the mood of others. I found in school this was especially true. Sometimes growing up is tough and we assume what others are thinking of us. The one smiling face with the cheery good morning, or even a grumpy good morning, can be the bright spot in someone's day. I have found this to also be true when I am in military uniform. I already get quite the reaction in public in uniform, anything from it's great to see a woman in uniform to comments about political views, but when I have a positive reaction to the responses the entire interaction takes on a more positive spin. The idea of greeting others is not something I specifically require of Wilbur and Wallace (my 4 and almost 6 year old), but more and more I see them taking it on themselves. Wilbur is actually appalled when someone at school chooses not to greet another student, it's just what we should do. It's what he sees, it's what he does, why wouldn't someone else do it too?

Another thing that can help us all not only be better people, but make things better is general is to put things away. I am not talking about your laundry, dishes, etc, though those are all excellent things to go, I am referring to being out in public. How hard is it to place the shopping cart in the cart return, barring any barriers, or take the empty hangars out of the dressing room, maybe even return the item you have been carrying around the store back to the appropriate location. Sure there are people that are "paid" to do these things and we could make them end up without a job, but I doubt it. Even if everyone who reads this article follows the advice, there will still be hundreds of other people who create work.

The biggest thing I think we can work on is cleaning up after ourselves in public restrooms. Yep, the bathroom is gross, end of that story. Even a clean bathroom still gets empty toilet paper rolls dropped on the floor, paper towels not placed in the trash, just plain rudeness dispersed throughout. Think about the person who has to clean that up. We aren't better than them, we just don't have that job (at this particular moment, but who knows), treat them with a little respect. Maybe even smile, say hi and thank them for what they do. Weird thought huh, try it.

Maybe you are thinking, nope, not happening, that's not who I am, not how I roll. I get it. We can't all be sunshine and unicorns, but we can be better. We can all practice a step up from our current level. Maybe you aren't quite to the level that you smile to the person who just cut you off in traffic, but possibly you can switch your road rage reaction with a hope that they don't do that to someone else. I was going to say that they get where they are going safely, but I can picture my sister rolling her eyes. When you walk into a store, hold the door. When you dry your hands, throw the paper towel in the trash can. If you see someone struggling, consider helping. You never know who it is that you are helping or how it may change that instant in their life, their day, or maybe even their entire life. Give it a try.