Courteousness
“behaving in a respectful and considerate manner, especially in social interactions and dealings with others”
If you watch the news, scroll through social media, or drive a vehicle, you may have noticed that there seems to be a lot less courteousness than ever before…IMHO.
So if we go with the concept that the “outer” is just a projection of the “inner”, we may have to start looking at ourselves first before pointing our fingers outward. Where could we treat ourselves with more courteousness? How could we be more respectful of our bodies, minds, and spirit? In what ways could we be more considerate of our own selves?
Just for the fun of it I got onto ChatGPT and asked it to give me 20 examples of courteous behavior. Here’s what it gave me:
- Holding the door open for someone.
- Saying “please” and “thank you” regularly.
- Offering your seat to someone in need, such as an elderly person or a pregnant woman.
- Listening attentively when someone is speaking.
- Using polite language, even in difficult situations.
- Respecting personal space and boundaries.
- Refraining from interrupting others while they’re talking.
- Being punctual for appointments and meetings.
- Offering assistance to someone who looks like they need help.
- Apologizing sincerely when you make a mistake.
- Giving compliments genuinely and frequently.
- Being patient and understanding, especially in challenging circumstances.
- Using proper table manners when dining with others.
- Keeping noise levels down, especially in quiet environments.
- Refraining from using offensive language or making inappropriate jokes.
- Being mindful of cultural differences and respecting diversity.
- Notifying others if you’re running late or unable to fulfill a commitment.
- Cleaning up after yourself and helping to keep shared spaces tidy.
- Respecting others’ opinions, even if you disagree with them.
- Expressing gratitude for others’ efforts or kindnesses.
Just in case you were as curious as I was, I asked ChatGPT to give me 10 reasons why being courteous is important. Here’s what it shared:
- Builds Positive Relationships
- Enhances Communication
- Creates a Pleasant Environment
- Boosts Self-Confidence
- Sets a Positive Example
- Improves Team Dynamics
- Facilitates Conflict Resolution
- Creates Opportunities
- Contributes to Well-Being
- Promotes Social Harmony
Seems to me that if we were to replace the majority of our laws and commandments with that list of 20 and truly lived by them, this world would be a much better place in which to live.
I also suspect that if we were more courteous within ourselves, each of our lives would dramatically improve.
How about you? Is courteousness a core value for you?
BTW…here’s what it looked like to begin with …
joyfully,
Maureen
The Mandala Lady
inspiring and encouraging creativity, curiosity, and play through the art of mandalas
About the 2024 Mandalas of the Day
Each day I will create and post a mandala inspired by one of 366 “value” words chosen randomly. The objective being to discover for myself which ones would best represent my core values…and by doing so, I hope it inspires you to determine your own.
Mandala of the Day 