10 Simple Ways We Can Show Others They Matter

Everyone likes to be treated with respect. People like to feel that they are important and really matter to others. And if they truly are important and matter, then they expect to be treated accordingly. Everyone wants to know that someone cares enough to think about them and consider their needs and feelings. This can make a person feel truly valued, special, and important.

Consideration is demonstrated in the way we behave toward others. It is not only in what we say and do, but it is also in the way we say and do things. It is in our tone of voice, facial expressions, and gestures. We are considerate whenever we are courteous, thoughtful, respectful and polite in our manner and attitude.

We would not behave rudely or impolitely if we wanted to treat someone with consideration and respect. Rather, we would be mindful of how our behavior would affect them. To consider is to think about carefully. When we care enough about others’ feelings and interests, we are considerate of them. And it will show in how we treat them.

Consideration communicates love in many ways, such as when we…

1.  Put others’ needs before our own

2.  Are sensitive to others' feelings

3.  Are respectful of the thoughts, opinions and ideas of others

4.  Have kind and affectionate thoughts toward someone

5.  Validate others and let them know they are heard

6.  Use our words wisely and carefully

7.  Are polite and courteous without needing a reason to be

8.  Show proper respect for people even when we think they don’t deserve it

9.  Convey generosity that is heard in our voice and seen in our eyes

10. Express genuine thankfulness and appreciation for others in our words and actions


More than anything else, consideration takes some thought. It occurs when we think of others as worthy of our time and attention, and we choose to invest ourselves in them.

REFLECTION:

* To whom and in what situations am I most considerate? Inconsiderate?

* Do I believe all people should be respected? Do I think they need to earn respect? Explain.

* Do I consider others’ feelings and needs when making a decision that affects them? Why or why not?

* Would people describe me as polite and courteous? Why or why not?

* Who do I feel is thoughtful of me? How does that make me feel?


EMPOWERING THOUGHTS & AFFIRMATIONS:

We spend more time thinking about ourselves—what we want, how we feel, and what we think—than any other person.
I can choose to think of others rather than only myself.
I can choose to consider someone else's needs and desires.
I can choose to consider someone else's opinions and ideas.
I can choose to consider some else's feelings.
I can choose to be considerate in my words and actions.
 
 

The habit of being uniformly considerate toward others will bring increased happiness to you. ~Grenville Kleiser

Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are. ~Author Unknown

When you look for the good in others, you discover the best in yourself.
~Martin Walsh

Do you value people who won't benefit you or only those who might contribute in some way to your success? Great team players truly value others as people, and they know and relate to what others value.--John C. Maxwell

The more you love, the more you are given to love with.  ~Lucien Price

Copyright © 2006, 2010 Krystal Kuehn. All Rights Reserved. New Day Counseling Center

 
Taken from The 10 Keys to Happy & Loving Relationships Part 5 (Love is Considerate) by Krystal Kuehn, BeHappy4Life.com

 

CLICK HERE for: Free Printable Worksheet



Copyright © 2007, 2010 Krystal Kuehn. All Rights Reserved. New Day Counseling Center




Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC is a psychotherapist, author, teacher & musician. She is the cofounder of New Day Counseling, a family couples counseling and child teen counseling center, BeHappy4Life.com, an award-winning, self-help and inspirational site where you can find hundreds of free resources, insights & words of inspiration to change your life, and Baby-Poems.com where you can find beautiful baby poems, baby quotes, cute sayings & baby videos that will touch your heart & increase your joy & gratitude for the children you love & enjoy! Check out Krystal's other blogs: Give Thanks Journal, Baby Poems blog and Words of Inspiration blog!




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Breaking Down Barriers & Opening Hearts with Kindness

Saying we love is one thing but showing it is quite another. You may have heard, “If you love me, show me and I will know it by what you do and how you treat me.” Love calls for action. It demands evidence. One recognizable way of putting love into action is through kindness. Kindness is an active expression of love. It is demonstrated by doing something good. Kindness reaches out first. It takes the initiative in being considerate or helpful.

Giving is the hallmark of kindness. Kindness is…generosity in giving and sharing of oneself to benefit someone or something. It is freely and willingly devoting one’s time and attention to another. It is showing that you understand and want to listen and be supportive. There is something about kindness that makes a person feel good. Kindness arouses all kinds of pleasant emotions. It is tender-hearted and makes people feel loved and cared for. Its warmth comforts and envelops the soul.

Kindness communicates love. You experience it whenever…

Someone cares enough to help you.

Someone puts your needs above their own.

You are given favor without asking.

You are the recipient of a warm and friendly smile.

You are given someone’s undivided attention.

You feel understood and cared for.

Someone is sensitive and considerate of your feelings.

Without kindness people would be more concerned with what they can get rather than what they can give. They would think primarily of their own interests and put them above others. However, where there is kindness acts of love abound. People do amazing things as they give freely and generously. Their kindness begets more kindness and keeps love alive in their lives. You, too, can keep love alive in your life with even the smallest acts of kindness.

 
REFLECTION:
 
Would I describe myself as a kind person? Why or why not?

When I give is it done freely and generously? Explain.

Do I usually take the first step in being kind or do I wait for someone else to take the initiative?

In what ways do I usually express kindness toward others?

Am I sensitive to the needs of others? How do I show it?

How can my acts of kindness show someone I love them?

Is there someone to whom I can show kindness in order to communicate my love for them? If so, what might I do?

 
EMPOWERING THOUGHTS & AFFIRMATIONS:

People often seem to be more concerned with what they can get rather than what they can give.  I choose to be a giver.

I can enjoy the rewards that come from giving.

I choose to put love and respect into action today.

I choose to speak kind words to others.

Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver. ~Barbara De Angelis

Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless. ~Mother Teresa

Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate. ~Albert Schweitzer

When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace. ~Tenzin Gyatso

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile. ~Mother Theresa

CLICK HERE for: Free Printable Worksheet


Taken from The 10 Keys to Happy & Loving Relationships Part 4 (Love is Kind) by Krystal Kuehn, BeHappy4Life.com




Copyright © 2007, 2010 Krystal Kuehn. All Rights Reserved. New Day Counseling Center


Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC is a psychotherapist, author, teacher & musician. She is the cofounder of New Day Counseling, a family couples counseling and child teen counseling center, BeHappy4Life.com, an award-winning, self-help and inspirational site where you can find hundreds of free resources, insights & words of inspiration to change your life, and Baby-Poems.com where you can find beautiful baby poems, baby quotes, cute sayings & baby videos that will touch your heart & increase your joy & gratitude for the children you love & enjoy! Check out Krystal's other blogs: Give Thanks Journal, Baby Poems blog and Words of Inspiration blog!



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