Episode 504 – The people I like

I don’t know about you, but

• I like people who are funny
  • I love to laugh
  • And when the situation is bleak, some humor always helps to lighten everyone up
  • Humor, genuine, really funny and smart humor, is a skill and I admire the people that possess it
  • Especially in times when everyone else is occupied with serious stuff, humor rescues our minds from the downward spiral
• I value people that welcome me
  • I feel it when they properly greet me
  • Say my name
  • Look at me
  • Invite me into their life for a brief moment with a kind word or gesture
  • And then warmly say good bye when our time is over
    • Walking me out, waving, smiling, wishing me well
  • It makes me feel my company was cherished
• I like people who ask good questions
  • You know, those deeper questions that make you pause for a second because you haven’t thought about it in a while, haven’t been asked about it either in some time
  • These kind of questions, probe, challenge, make me reconsider
  • And most importantly, they show interest, which I consider the greatest respect a person can pay me
• I am grateful for people who teach me
  • Patiently, genuinely, and without expectations
  • Simply because they want to give, from their heart to mine
  • When they pass on something they learned – they are enriching my life
  • It makes me feel special and appreciated
• I like people who sing or play an instrument while in my company
  • Or even better, ask me for a dance – wherever we may be at the moment
  • Sometimes it is the communication that doesn’t come in spoken words that is most impactful
• I feel warmth in my heart when people cook for me
  • Food is more than just the ingredients I consume
  • Food prepared for me comes with parts of the person they are passing on to me – their love, their wisdom, their thoughts and their generosity
  • I find delight in being included in a meal prepared by someone I know
• I am drawn to people who engage me
  • They include me into their world with their fresh ideas, their unique perspective, the way in which they express themselves
  • They share books they enjoyed, strategies that helped them get better, and wisdom they learned about life
  • Their commitment inspires my own journey
• I like spending time with people who challenge me
  • they gently push me to do more and to do better
    • Not for challenging’s sake
    • Not because they benefit
  • But because they want to see me grow
  • These people will ask at the end of our meeting “How can I help you achieve your goals?
  • Thereby making themselves a part of my learning and growth journey
• I enjoy people who remember me
  • A call or email
  • A small token or a souvenir from a trip
  • Flowers – yes
  • Pictures of times together
  • Follow-up, follow-through, check-in
  • Anytime
  • Not all the time
  • But particularly when times are tough
  • Or when the distance is large
  • Or when our connection is close
  • remembering is a sign of care, compassion and empathy
  • its one of the easiest ways to stay connected with another person and build something lasting

• I love people that assume good intent
  • Because I never mean ill will
  • I may have forgotten
  • I may have shown neglect, lack of care, or ignorance
  • But I never mean harm
  • I never mean to hurt
  • I never mean to intentionally disrespect
  • Can I do better?
  • Almost always,
• But I learn better when people focus on my good intentions
• And help me see where I can improve with a gentle nudge, a reminder, a refresher, curiosity, kindness and a smile
• And most importantly – when they not take personally something that was not personal
• But a human flaw or error or misjudgment

• I adore people who stand solid on this earth
  • Above the petty things
    • But occupied with the big questions of our time
  • Not easily blown away by small transgressions
    • But clear, respectful and not afraid to address the big issues face to face
  • People that see the work that needs to get done and do it
    • Without asking for recognition
    • not even years later
  •  
  • Pursuing their dreams
  • Changing the world by making it a better place
  • And inspiring me with their actions, behaviors and words

• Those are the people I like
• Those are the acts and behaviors I admire in others
• Those are the people I feel draw to, over and over again
• Because they show me the person I also want to be

• Surround yourself with the people you like
  • That have values that match yours
  • That exhibit virtues you want to have as well
• And slowly eliminate those that you don’t like
• Because that creates space for new people to come into your life
•  
• And the more you behave like the people you admire, the more they will be drawn to you

Much love