{"id":4433,"date":"2017-04-20T11:19:22","date_gmt":"2017-04-20T15:19:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theexecutivehappinesscoach.com\/?p=4433"},"modified":"2018-10-02T17:01:13","modified_gmt":"2018-10-02T21:01:13","slug":"being-kind-is-good-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theexecutivehappinesscoach.com\/2017\/04\/being-kind-is-good-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"BEING KIND IS GOOD FOR YOU"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/a><\/strong> The author writes: “as we grapple with the complexities of our age, I suggest in this book that we agree on one principal: that a crucial measure of our success in life is the way we treat one another every day of our lives<\/strong>. When we lessen the burden of living for those around us we are doing well; when we add to the misery of the world we are not.” Notice that none of these rules require that you be a conformist or in anyway subjugate your own needs. <\/strong>You can live your life fully, authentically, and creatively, AND do it in a way that elevates you and everyone around you. Keep that in mind as you Lead or when you assess the skills of those who lay claim to the mantle of Leadership.<\/strong> I sense so much tension in the world, today.\u00a0 I know that there have been times in human history when conflict was uglier and more violent, and that, statistically speaking, the world has never been safer; and yet\u2026 The ugliness that exists today feels so pervasively personal. Internet trolls have affected our ability to have … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5789,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,274,11,50],"tags":[51,30,222,377,60],"yoast_head":"\n
\nI sense so much tension in the world, today<\/strong>.\u00a0 I know that there have been times in human history when conflict was uglier and more violent, and that, statistically speaking, the world has never been safer; and yet\u2026
\nThe ugliness that exists today feels so pervasively personal. <\/strong>Internet trolls have affected our ability to have civil <\/a>discourse, even about important issues.\u00a0 Politicians scream at each other from ideological fortresses, lobbing insults across the aisles instead of having the tough conversations of governance.
\nWhere are the Leaders?\u00a0 What has happened to Respect?<\/strong>
\nI revisited a book that inspired me in 2002 and which always reminds me of our (collective) capacity to elevate others and ourselves every day through the way we behave:
\nChoosing Civility: The 25 Rules of Considerate Conduct by P.M.Forni<\/strong><\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\nWhat is Civility?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
\n“Being civil means being constantly aware of others and weaving restraint, respect, and consideration into the very fabric of this awareness. Civility is a form of goodness; <\/strong>it is gracious goodness\u2026 It also entails an active interest in the well-being of our communities and even a concern for the health of the planet on which we live.” He lists a full page of examples, ending with, \u201c\u2026these diverse behaviors are all imbued with the spirit of civility.\u201d
\nOn page 15 Forni reminds us: \u201c\u2026our happiness doesn’t spring from the events of our lives but rather from how we choose to respond to those events. If we have control over what we think about what happens to us, we have control over how we feel about it as well. This means, in turn, that we can be the makers of our own happiness.<\/strong>\u201d \u00a0[Can you see why I love this guy?!]<\/em>
\n\u2018While happiness involves choosing how we interpret the world around us, restraint is a behavior that is required for civility. Restraint is an infusion of thinking\u2014and thoughtfulness\u2014into everything we do. <\/strong>We choose the behavior that, although it may not seem the most gratifying now, will make us feel good five minutes from now, tomorrow, or next year. Restraint is the art of feeling good later.\u201d<\/strong>
\n\u201cTo be civil\u2014to behave, that is, in a manner that takes into consideration the feelings and the comfort of others\u2014means practicing the art of giving. <\u2026> \u00a0By treating you the best way I know how, I appeal to the best in you, urging you to do the same.\u201d<\/strong>
\nRules of civility have been around for a very long time. <\/strong>They appear in the text of all religions from Judaism and Christianity to Confucianism, from Islam to Hinduism. They are found in Renaissance writings, Victorian-era manners books, and in the works of philosophers from Plato to Kant.
\nFollowing these rules may not feel like a shortcut to a good life. Civility requires work and dedication. But so does Happiness.\u00a0 <\/strong>If you want to strengthen any muscle (intellectual, physical, or emotional) you must stretch and work it regularly.
\nForni believes that one major consequence of civil behavior is to \u201clower the amounts of stress in everyday life, especially in the workplace.\u201d\u00a0 <\/strong>Hmm \u2013 we can all use a good dose of that, eh?!
\nWhat follows are the 25 Rules followed by my tiny summary.\u00a0 As you scan, notice what resonates for you.<\/p>\nThe 25 Rules of Civility<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
The Happiness Connection<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
\nPut another way, your Happiness never needs to be at the expense of someone else’s.<\/strong>
\nIf you serve in the role of a Leader, seek balance. <\/strong>You can exercise power AND be civil. You can command AND respect others.<\/p>\nRemember, Leadership is not about a title; <\/strong>anyone can be a leader who shows consideration for others and the greater, long-term good.<\/h3>\n
\nDo This For Yourself:<\/strong>
\nThe 13 Principles of Happiness offer a framework for a less-stress life.\u00a0 Print a copy here<\/a>, and post it on your workstation or fridge as a reminder to live your life deeply and from a happy space.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"