On THAT Note (part I)

One of the notes I have on my phone is a list about the kind of person I want to be.

I recently made a new friend, and there’s a pattern that unfolds when I am getting to know someone. We tend to show our best selves in the beginning. In a new friendship, it’s easy to be who you WANT to be. Then, as time goes on, and things get more comfortable, we show more of our true selves. Our flaws and weaknesses become more visible, and we shed the facade we might have had. That’s when we figure out what our friendship really is. 

I don’t think we’re necessarily being “fake” - we’re just on our best behavior. I don’t even think we’re always aware of it. However, while I was getting to know my new friend, I did notice that I was presenting a much better version of myself, and I knew at some point, I’d show her the bad and the ugly. For a while, though, it was just the good. 

While I was showcasing the good, I started keeping notes about the kind of person I want to be. If I could truly be that person, here are some of the traits I would wish to have:

▪️Speak positively about other people. Be generous with compliments in front of others and behind their backs.

▪️Create horseshoes, not circles. 

▪️Be a multiplier.

▪️Leave a positive online footprint.

▪️Go about doing good.

▪️Love and delight in many things (rather than having a strong dislike for many things).

▪️Handle rejection gracefully.

▪️Don’t speak negatively about my body.

▪️Accept healing (let go of trauma, move on, forgive).

▪️Share my testimony.

▪️Always be “potluck ready.”

▪️Be positive (don’t drain people with negativity).

▪️Hold my peace. Always think before sharing my opinion or critiquing others.

▪️Enjoy people.

▪️Be who I am without making excuses over explaining myself.

So let it be written, so let it be done!

(I have a lot to work on).