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“What do you want to be when you grow up?” we were asked in childhood. Over the years, many continue to ask this question. Perhaps it would be worth shifting the focus and asking ourselves, not who, but what we would like to become, because the key to happiness lies not at all in a specific position, social status and the amount in a bank account. So what are they – people who are in harmony with themselves and with the world, which can only be envied?
1. They don’t take things too personally.
Margaret Thatcher said: “I only rejoice at personal attacks on me: this means that the enemy has not a single political argument left.” Spending most of our lives worrying about what others think of us is simply unwise.
To stop doing this, you need to remember: any criticism addressed to you says more about the interlocutor, his experience and views, than about you and the results of your work.
2. They don’t let their past determine their present and future.
“Learn from the past, live today, hope for tomorrow,” said Albert Einstein. This means remembering your history and learning from your mistakes, but at the same time not looking back at every step, blaming a difficult childhood, trauma and abusive parents for what is happening. The best way to change something in life is to start acting right now.
3. They don’t chase perfection
Clinical psychologist Karen Nimmo claims that almost every second client complains that they are allegedly not good enough: they are not as smart, talented, handsome, lucky, wealthy as they would like. This means that he is not suitable for this or that job or is unworthy of his partner.
People who are really worth learning from don’t set the bar too high. They study themselves and set themselves goals that they really want to work towards.
They know when to stop, study their experience, draw conclusions, and maybe even turn around and go in a different direction. They try to give their best, but at the same time they know that they are already good enough. First of all, according to your own standards.
4. They are not afraid to take risks.
Of course, they do not take completely rash steps, do not take unjustified risks, especially if their actions can harm others. But they are not afraid to try new things, even if they are not sure of the outcome of the case. Thanks to this, their life turns into an endless adventure. They certainly don’t get bored.
5. They give others the freedom to live the way they want.
As if following the advice of the Mexican writer Miguel Ruiz, such people “are responsible for their actions, but do not take responsibility for others.” This means that they do not condemn them and do not slander them – neither on the sly, nor in public space.
They always have their own opinions, thoughts and considerations, but they share them only if they know that they will not hurt the feelings of others.
6. They know how to love
Paolo Coelho writes: “What future awaits you depends entirely on your ability to love.” Going through life with an open and loving heart is not easy: there will certainly be those who will hurt you, accidentally or intentionally.
Perhaps it will even be the closest and dearest people. But it is precisely whether we can, despite the circumstances, treat the world with love that determines what our life will be like.
7. They live their lives to the fullest.
We all know that our days are finite, but many live as if they have all the time in the world at their disposal. And they, and many of us, should learn from people who know that what matters is not how long we live, but what the quality of our life will be.
Such people live with pleasure, and when their days come to an end, they calmly accept it, knowing that they have done everything they could and wanted to.