“That’s SO nice.”
People tend to amaze me with their good ideas, acts of love and free hugs. Annie Dillard said it first, but I’ll say it again: How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. How are you spending your days?
Do you feel jealous? Irritated? One annoying person away from rage?
Yes, yes and yes, been there.
But what if we spent more time trying to BE the nice guy. Maybe he’d finish first once in a while. Maybe the real reason he’s always last is because there’s no community, no village to keep him going. In my world, nice guys and girls finish first.
Think about it. These everyday habits could change the world.
Don’t Make Anyone’s Day Worse
It’s a simple mantra I read on Josh Hanagarne’s blog and it made me dig deep. Do I make anyone’s day worse? Colleagues, kids, Mr. Right? (No need to reply, really.) Make a point to remember not to. Slap it on a billboard, tie a string around your finger, make a mixed tape (remember those?). Above all, do no harm.
Support Amazing Work
There are so many people doing amazing things, with or without corporate support. A few of my dearest friends are blowing me away with their talent. Shout out to Heather Peterman and Tracy Anderson. Keep it up, ladies. Your art rocks my world.
Be Nice
A simple gift can make someone’s day golden. Last week, a neighbor left this paper mousepad (photo below) on my porch. She wrote: “Melissa – Here’s to the ‘brilliant’ ideas you share with others through your columns.” Wow, nice people rule the world. Thanks for the inspiration, nice peeps. I really needed it.
Who makes your world a better place? Give them a shout out, leave a comment below. Leave a link. Above all, be nice.
Thank you very much.
See Also:
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Melissa,
This article was…nice.
But seriously, you make a great point. Being nice is a choice. And if it doesn’t come naturally, with practice, it will. I’ve had to deal with that myself lately. The taxi drivers/shop owners in India are relentless, constantly screaming at me (and others) to try to get me to spend money. At first I was very nice. “No thank you” to everyone. Then I started ignoring them. Then I started being a little mean. Now, I’m back to “no thank you” because I realized they’re just trying to make a living. Are they doing an effective job? Not particularly. But it’s not my place to keep them from doing it. And a “no thank you” as I’m walking by isn’t too much to ask.
Karol
Hi Karol – Thanks for stopping by, I love the work you’re doing. Those business owners sound relentless. Maybe you could just carry a sign that says “no thank you” … ? Or make a t-shirt.
It is VERY hard to be nice at times. Because being nice does not guarantee others will respond in a nice way. And nice doesn’t mean pushover either. You can still stand up for what you believe in – in a nice way.
This is such an awesome post! Thank you for writing it.
A few peeps who make my world better include: Leo from Zen Habits, Everett from Far Beyond the Stars, my friends at Portland Alternative Dwellings and my new friend Chris. He is an amazing editor. http://www.chrisobyrne.com/
It is very hard to be nice all the time, but I’ve found having an amazing online community helps. When I start feeling grumpy I can head over to some of my favorite blogs and just read. Beautiful art makes me smile and always makes my day a little better.
*swoon* Rowdy Kittens on my site. Awesome!
I agree with having an online community – sometimes I look back and wonder how I survived without all my favorite blogs. xoxo to all you bloggers doing amazing work.
Hey Melissa,
This an awesome post. I agree it is hard to be a nice person. Because I feel I have been all my life but never come out on the good end of things. I honestly do not know what to do because I never won the nice battle yet and it is hard for me to go into the mean category because I do not remember doing a mean thing at all. Any advice.
@ Cory – I’m not sure what “win the nice battle” means but I think you’re feeling mistreated in some way. When I said nice guys and girls finish first, I meant they finish first for my respect. Life certainly isn’t a contest. My advice to you would be to always do the right thing, even when no one is watching.
Thanks for the comment!