10 Easy Ways to Be a Better Person ...

By Jennifer

Every year, either at New Year’s or on my birthday, I vow to be a better person. Within weeks, I’m back to my normal self, with minor improvements. The older I get, the easier it becomes, somehow. Even the smallest changes can end up being life-altering, making you a better person, a happier person. Here are my top ten simple, easy ways you can be a better person…

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1

Listen

Listen Photo Credit: mishkaoutofcontrol

When was the last time you felt someone really listened to you? We all love that quality in a friend, but how many of us are good listeners? It’s not as easy as it sounds, but it’s something almost all of us can work on to be a better friend, a better spouse, and a better person.

2

Respect Others

Respect Others Photo Credit: Epinym

It’s a simple fact: everyone deserves respect. Children deserve it. Elderly people have earned it. Anyone who looks different than we do, they also deserve it. Recognize that there is divinity, goodness, in everyone, and respect it.

3

Choose a Role Model

Choose a Role Model Photo Credit: Helmut Schadt

Is there someone in your life you feel is a good person? A celebrity? An icon from our history? Then try to emulate them. Read their works. Realize they were also human, with downfalls and troubles and shortcomings, too.

4

Learn to Say “I’m Sorry”

Learn to Say “I’m Sorry” Photo Credit: Laurence,

When you’ve made a mistake, realize that the old adage is true, and it is indeed human to err. Apologize, ask for forgiveness, and forgive yourself, too. If possible, learn something from your mistake, and try not to repeat it.

5

Be Patient

Be Patient Photo Credit: naughtonlucy

In the world we live in today, everything is fast, quick, immediate. We want perfection, now, from ourselves and from others. Take a deep breath, slow down, and learn to be patient. Be especially patient with strangers in traffic, and be even more patient with children. Be patient with yourself too.

Famous Quotes

Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

George Santayana
6

Give of Yourself

Give of Yourself Photo Credit: Emma Kinsella

Find a cause you believe in, and volunteer your time. Donate money if you can, but your time is even more valuable. The tickle of good you feel when you write a check is nothing compared to the joy you feel after serving a meal in a soup kitchen, or reading a book to a sick child, or listening to an elderly person share a story from their childhood.

7

Play and Laugh

Play and Laugh Photo Credit: Catch the dream

Children are sweet-natured and happy because their world is filled with play and laughter. Who says adults can’t play, too? Chase butterflies with your children, play hide and seek, swing on the swings. Lie in the grass and feel the warmth of the sun on your face, or bundle up and go for a nature walk in the snow. Learn silly jokes and share them with your kids. Laugh!

8

Spend Time with the Earth

Spend Time with the Earth Photo Credit: orangeacid

This may sound silly, but one way to be a better person is to spend more time with our earth. Plant a garden, and share your fresh fruits and veggies. Rake leaves and jump into them with your kids. Shovel the snow from a neighbor’s walk. Jump in rain puddles. Get your hands dirty. Look for bugs or adopt a cat. Collect shells on the beach. Spend time outside!

9

Do What You Love

Do What You Love Photo Credit: knitting school dropout

If you can find your passion and pursue it, every day, and even better, make your living doing it, you’ll feel fulfilled and happy and will believe in yourself more. It can be something small, like knitting or caring for pets, or something bigger, like being a nurse or a parent. But find something you love, something that you find rewarding, and throw yourself into it. If possible, share it, too!

10

Be Grateful

Be Grateful Photo Credit: London Lens

It can be easy to fall into the trap of feeling sorry for ourselves. We don’t like our bodies, our jobs, our lives. We want a better car, a bigger house, a smaller butt. Instead, try to appreciate what you have! And if someone does a kindness, or helps you, thank them. And do your best not to look backwards; lose the baggage and look ahead! Being grateful, seeing the world for what you have, will make you feel happier, and make you a better, more loving person.

Try doing one of these each week or each month, and make an effort to continue it until it’s a habit, second nature. While you’re at it, stop using foul language (your mother will be happy!) and stop beating yourself up. Anything you can do will make you feel happier, and make you a much better person. What do you do when you’re trying to self-improve? What makes you happy? Please share with me!

Top Photo Credit: *Tiny Dancer*

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Love the post...great tips!

Awesome!!!

Niece post indeed. I wish it make it into EVERYONE's social place they spend lots of time at.....learning lesson. This world would be a much better place for ALL,if people just learned not to do to others, what they do not others to do unto them!! I am just kind of sad that even though the tremendous growth in technology connects people easier and faster, however it cuts down on the face to face communication, where you also get to see the facial expression and not just hear the message. Someone in the next room will send me and email or Skype me, instead of stopping by to share to thought or an idea...I know it saves time, but people still need to make time to spend together.

I love these! Awesome Jennifer :D I especially love the one about playing and laughing. This is so true and I Love to Play! It is so hard to find people that do anymore :( It seems the older I get the more the people around me are turning into complaining, cranky, curmudgeons! WHY!!?? I do not understand it. My brother who is a total computer guru and absolutely drooled about the next big technology or new toy now complains about things changing. My other brother who owns two cell phones complains that all kids do these days is walk around texting and thinks it is rude to have a personal music player on because it isolates you from other people. He does not see all the play and social activity that is going on and how better connected his kids are to the world and their friends than he was at that age. Find the joy! Have fun! It is there in almost any situation. And don't even get me started about music! :P Another thing I try to do myself that I believe honestly does help is language. I try not to use harsh words or cuss. I do occasionally but so rarely that when I do the people that know me react like they got slapped :P I NEVER use words that are derogatory or mean. I feel that using derogatory words toward other people or groups not only hurts them but it hurts you too. If you say a thing enough it becomes second nature to you and starts feeling justified or okay, no big deal! And if someone calls you on it you might feel like "get over it" or stop being so sensitive. An example would be how many people use the word 'gay' these days. I have been around people who think using the 'N' word is okay if they are not around African-American peeps or is even more okay if they have an African-American friend that is not bothered by it. Using hateful language does not make you a better person and it is NEVER justified. So play nice.

How sweet. These days I try to do what I love more. (that's not working out to well unfortunately) but I am still trying :D Being grateful, saying thanks, saying sorry are little things which add up and become so important.

Thks for sharing these great tips! :)

I am 13 and I live in a ver ysmall town in Oklahoma called Wetumka. I am in 7th grade and I have more drama than anyone in the world! At the begining of the year I got hated by everyone by breaking up with my bf and so everyone hated me. Then I got even more hated my everyone by getting a new bf. Later in the year I had drama because a rumor went around that I was trying to sleep with a guy that I HONESTLY DO NOT LIKE!!! Now I have drama because my former friend Kenzlie thinks that I said somthing bout her when I really didn't! So yesterday after school Aleedra and Xiola attempted to jump me and so now Every one in the 7th grade is mad at me. On top of that when I got to school one of my very close friends Josie got upset with me because her bf likes me and I kinda like him but I stayed away so that I would not hurt her and she is still mad at me. I cry myself to sleep every night and I dont know what to do!!! Please Help me if you can! Sincerely, Haley C. Tedder

I loved reading this!! There are always ways to improve ourselves! I love seeking what I don't like in my self and improving to the max!! I work on my own list about my own self and I find it very helpful!

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