This link is a (short) list of 6 personality traits to ADMIRE in others.
Sometimes, we focus on things we abhor in another. This might happen more often at work or with family, because we don’t choose those people, we inherit them by circumstance. But how often do you sit back, contemplate the people you’ve CHOSEN into your life, and enjoy the reasons for why they are there? Maybe he has a silly sense of humor, or a broad outlook. She has compassion, you feel energized after a conversation with her.
When it comes to friends, there is always at least one thing (usually more) that keeps you coming back for more, else, why would you bother? And if you DON’T bother, you will eventually lose that person (the quickest way to kill anything - from a plant to a friendship - is to neglect it, ignore it, refuse to acknowledge it).
With that in mind, I contemplated about fifty of my favorite friends / family - people I look up to, even if they’re shorter than me (okay, that doesn’t happen often). As I read through this list, I saw the “six traits” in every one of those people. Those traits are in abundance with the kids I choose to hang out with on life’s playground.
One trait mentioned does focus on being appreciative, but I think “appreciation” deserves its own catagory. To me, people who value the ideal of appreciation, are especially glorious to be around. People who run into you at the store and share a few moments of chit-chat with before everybody goes away smiling…ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
People who invite you over to help them plant their garden, then drop by the following day to help you plant yours. People who swap tomatoes and poatotes when harvest arrives. People who call out of the blue and say, “I haven’t seen you in a while and I miss you. Wanna hang out?” Little things like that. Actions speak loud and proud - the appreciative friends instinctively do all the rest on the list.
I do take issue with the word “tolerance” (it’s on the list), because it seems to me that my friends don’t “tolerate” differences so much as they accept, embrace, or at the very least “find opportunity for positive challenge” in them. So, tolerance is out with my friends. If they love me, then they surely deserve to be deemed more than just “tolerant”. LOL.
Our chosen people will not be perfect, and sometimes they will try our understanding, but if you examine it through the right perspective, even that can be an opportunity for growth within yourself.
Anyhow, toast to your own good fortune in finding friends / family who possess the traits listed. And toast also to your own good sense in attracting people with those traits. We do attract what we express in the world. There is NO doubt about it. So, if you have good people in your life, then that proves you are honoring the good person within yourself.
Tags: 6 Traits to Admire and Acquire
