How To Be Valued By Others
“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.”
Judy Garland
Imagine waking up each day being appreciated for your uniqueness.
Like snowflakes, no one has our particular physical features, history, talents, name or disposition.
No one else does what we do in the same way. But, I would argue what makes one shine is our character: who we are to our community, how we treat our loved ones and how we act when there’s little at stake.
As Maya Angelou succinctly says, “People may not remember what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel.”
In daily interactions, we’re given countless opportunities to practice virtues like patience, calmness, and selflessness and by doing so, improve our self-control — allowing us to manage our emotions and behaviours better.
Increased self-control leads to greater self-confidence — making us more attentive and engaged.
Being valuable to others doesn’t mean contorting ourselves into a metaphoric pretzel to make others happy, forsaking our individuality or being a doormat.
In this fast-paced world of 30-second interactions, originality and consideration for others are hot commodities that leave a lasting impression.
The preceding story offers a unique perspective on value.
Enjoy!
Like snowflakes, no one has our particular physical features, history, talents, name or disposition.
A father said to his daughter, “You graduated with honours, here is a car I acquired many years ago. It is several years old. But before I give it to you, take it to the used car lot downtown and tell them you want to sell it and see how much they offer you.
The daughter went to the used car lot, returned to her father and said, “They offered me $1,000 because it looks very worn out.”
The father said, ”Take it to the pawn shop.”
The daughter went to the pawn shop, returned to her father and said, ”The pawn shop offered $100 because it is a very old car.”
The father asked his daughter to go to a car club and show them the car.
The daughter took the car to the club, returned and told her father, “Some people in the club offered $100,000 for it since it’s an iconic car and sought after by many.”
The father said to his daughter, “The right place values you the right way.”
Author Anonymous
“Your ordinary acts of love and hope point to the extraordinary promise that every human life is of inestimable value.”
―Desmond Tutu
Stills from a recent project, seals and pink skies.