What Makes You Great?

What makes people great? Why do some leave a lasting mark on our hearts while others fade into the background? It boils down to one simple truth: we're drawn to those who make us feel good. We crave happiness and positivity in our lives, and those who radiate care and compassion effortlessly captivate us.

Reflecting on my own experiences growing up, I couldn't help but notice the magnetic pull certain relatives exerted whenever they entered a room. What sets them apart? They genuinely cared about others, and that caring shone through like floodlights at a grand event.

Caring isn't just a trait; it's a beacon of purpose. It redirects our focus from trivialities to meaningful connections and shields us from the noise of drama and negativity. As Edward Albert aptly put it, "The simple act of caring is heroic."

Quotes from luminaries like Saint Francis of Assisi, Leo Tolstoy, Winston Churchill, and Goldie Hawn underscore the transformative power of giving and serving humanity. Making a difference doesn't require grand gestures; it begins with the simple act of caring.

“The simple act of caring is heroic,” as Edward Albert said. 

“For it is in giving that we receive” — Saint Francis of Assisi

“The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity” — Leo Tolstoy

“Giving back is as good for you as it is for those you are helping, because giving gives you purpose. When you have a purpose-driven life, you’re a happier person” — Goldie Hawn

Want to be a person that everyone really loves and wants to be around? Here are a few steps you can take right now to brighten someone's day and forge lasting connections:

Show Genuine Interest: Truly be interested in what’s going on with them. Take the time to learn about others' work, lives, passions, and dreams. Engage with them authentically, showing that you value and care about what matters to them. Pay attention to what they are enthusiastic about, talk to them about it, and see how you could be of help. It is not only the easiest way to connect with them, but also the best way to make them feel you value and truly care about them. 

Help Them Further Their Goals and Reach Their Full Potential: Be a pillar of support in their journey towards success. Offer assistance, encouragement, and guidance to help them overcome obstacles and reach their full potential. For most people, their life goals are their topmost priority. If you get an inkling that a loved one is experiencing trouble reaching their goals, don’t wait for them to ask you for help. Contribute in all possible ways that you can. Help them get over those things blocking them from achieving their goals and perceived limits. Boost their confidence, motivate them to keep going, to strive for more and be the best they can be. 

Be There in Times of Need: Extend a comforting hand during challenging times, offering unconditional support and reassurance. It is important to make people feel secure especially when they are upset, have faced failure, or experienced hardships in life. Be there for them, comfort them, reassure them and offer your unconditional support. It can make a big difference in their life and will give them the strength to bounce back from setbacks. 

Help Them Solve Their Problems and Resolve Issues: Take an active interest in their concerns and offer practical solutions to alleviate their burdens. Everyone has their set of problems that hassle them daily. Spend time with your loved ones to get an insight into their problems and see how you can help make their life simpler and easier. 

Practice Acceptance, Don’t Judge Them: Embrace their imperfections with patience and understanding, focusing on their strengths and helping them grow. No one is perfect. Everyone has flaws, falters and errs at times. Practice patience and tolerance; accept them the way they are. Also, see how you can help them improve and add value to their life. Look beyond their mistakes, appreciate their positives, raise their self-esteem, and make them feel good about themselves. This will go a long way in strengthening the bond and win over their confidence. 

Celebrate Their Successes: Acknowledge their achievements, no matter how small, and share in their joy and triumphs. Show them that they matter. Acknowledge their hard work and persistence and congratulate them on their success and victories. Even the small ones. Genuinely feel happy that they have made progress toward their vision. 

Share Their Burden of Responsibilities: Show your commitment by lending a helping hand with their tasks and responsibilities. Everyone has their hands fill when it comes to working. But try to take time out and lend a helping hand. Asist family and friends with their stuff. Help them with a difficult task, run an errand or take care of some of the things that they need to do.  Showing your eagerness to share their burden of responsibility will demonstrate your genuine interest in them. 

Offer Emotional Support: Lift their spirits during tough times, helping them see the silver lining and count their blessings. No matter how strong a person is, each one has their low times when feelings of sadness or despair sneak in. This is the time when you should be around and cheer them up. Distract them from those agonizing thoughts and help the shift their focus from negative to seeing positives in their life. Help them count their blessings.

Express Gratitude: Show appreciation for their kindness and support, reinforcing the bond between you. It doesn’t cost anything to visit a loved one or a treasured friend and thank them for what they did for you. Expressing your gratitude and appreciating their support would speak volumes about you and convey to them that you acknowledge their help and feel grateful for all they have done for you on different occasions.

Encourage Open Communication: Create a safe space for them to share their thoughts and feelings, offering a listening ear and understanding. When you see your loved ones overwhelmed by suffering or a personal loss, don’t ignore or adopt a silent approach. Talk to them, comfort them, encourage them to share their pain with you, and let them know you are there with them in their emotional crisis. Your comforting attitude and positive mindset will have a calming effect.

Express Affection: Let them know how much they mean to you, spreading warmth and affection through your words and actions.

Provide a Listening Ear: Give them your undivided attention and hear them out. Sometimes pent-up feelings can lead to stress, anxiety, fear, and a feeling of insecurity. To help your loved ones and show your concern, let them express themselves uninhibited. Give them your undivided attention and hear them out. This will help you gain their perspective and let them know you understand their situation.

Let Them Know They Make You Feel Good: Take time out to communicate to your family and friends what they mean to you and let them know they make you feel good. Express your genuine appreciation by telling them that you enjoy their company, you love spending time with them, and you look forward to meeting with them. This will make them feel love, appreciated and cherished. 

Spend Time with Them When They Feel Lonely: Be a companion in times of solitude, offering companionship and comfort. If a loved one is going through a rough patch and feeling low, register your presence by being with them. Talk to them about old times, relive favorite memories, go out, or plan a fun activity together.

By embodying these principles of care and compassion, you can illuminate the lives of those around you and create a ripple effect of positivity and happiness. 

Do your part to help others and you will become a floodlight of happiness and security for others. Changing the world doesn’t mean you have to constantly do something extremely drastic. Changing the world can be as simple as shining your light in the direction of someone who needs it. That then has a ripple effect like no other. 

Remember, changing the world begins with small acts of kindness and empathy. You have the power to make a difference—so shine your light bright.

Be the change you want to see. You can make a difference.

Lisa Terrenzi