Reflecting Positivity: How Seeing Good in Others Helps Discover the Goodness Within Ourselves
Look for good in others if you want to find it in yourself.
During a 2016 presidential debate in the US, the moderator asked Mrs. Hilary Clinton to say something good about her opponent, Mr. Trump. She didn’t hesitate to praise the man’s children and gave the man credit for doing well with his children. Many people knew little about the man’s fatherhood, but Hilary cemented his leadership quality reverenced among his core voters.
How would Mrs. Hilary Clinton have thought of any good thing about the person she advertised as lacking policy and leadership experience? With public records available, she felt her opponent didn’t have the relevant skill and temperament to be the leader of the free world. However, she gave him credit as a family man. With that compliment, Hilary reflected on her own skillful parenting to her only child.
Why look for good in others?
The benefit is on us, not that person; the same with the debate of helping parents who need help or giving to charity or homeless people. What we do or say to others can help us more. If we see good in others, that reflects on us.
Listen.
Humans tend to get what they are searching for. My family members and friends call me lucky. In fact, I am not lucky, but fortunately, I have an idea of what I am looking for and often find it.
The point is if we are looking for a smile, smile on others. If you are not smiling, force yourself to smile, and many people will return your smile.
It’s not about others but about us and what we do. Unfortunately, the human brain automatically looks for the bad and negative about people, things, and the environment. Too often, negative controversies drive traffic, money, and attention. But seeing good in others and things can make people take the time to search for positive traits in themselves.
How to look for good in others and yourself:
I. Give yourself and others the benefit of the doubt. Work hard to love and trust yourself.
II. Be friendly with yourself, be proud of your accomplishments, and learn more about people you don’t like. Find something in them that inspires you.
III. We all experience these two vices in our lifetime — suspicion and jealousy. Be careful with these two things if you want to see good in yourself and others.
IV. Create a culture of appreciation. We can thank the universe for the gift of life. Thank the people in your home and work. Take the time to appreciate people for what they do or don’t do for you.
V. The mirror effect — How do you see yourself in the mirror? We can see ourselves in others. Let’s find common ground.
VI. Do less criticism and more compliments. Compliment yourself daily and see how that will drive you to do it to others.
VII. Add Yours.
Help yourself grow. Thank you for being here.