Good Qualities
"It is far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help." Judith Martin
This is something I struggle with . . . and the quote itself makes me think. I hope people notice my good qualities, but I often feel that they are overlooked. That I am taken for granted. What qualities? That I am hard-working, that I genuinely care about others, that I care about the quality of the work that I put out, that I am creative, that I am supportive of others, that I am intelligent, that I am a good mother. Lately, I find myself wanting to grab people and shake them and say, "Can't you see how wonderful I am?!" Somehow, I don't think that would convince them I have good qualities, though. Might even scare them a little. On the other hand, what's wrong with bragging on ourselves a bit every now and then? How do we stop blending into the background, and shine? I think it begins with accepting the fact that it may not be noticed.
For instance, I cleaned the house two weeks ago - and I mean REALLY cleaned. I even steam cleaned the carpets. After the floor in the living room dried, I walked across the room in my bare feet, just loving the feel of those freshly cleaned carpets. I wiggled my toes and took in a deep breath of clean. It felt, smelled and looked wondefully clean. My husband walked in from a trip to the gun club . . . and walked through the room with his dirty boots on. I snarled. He didn't notice. He didn't notice that I had worked hard, and that I cared about how our home looks. But does that really matter? I noticed. And in my book, that's what counts.
Think about your good qualities. Jot me a comment with three of your good qualities, and tell me if you think those qualities are noticed, or expected. I'm interested in your opinion. Share with me.
Happy thinking,
Elle
This is something I struggle with . . . and the quote itself makes me think. I hope people notice my good qualities, but I often feel that they are overlooked. That I am taken for granted. What qualities? That I am hard-working, that I genuinely care about others, that I care about the quality of the work that I put out, that I am creative, that I am supportive of others, that I am intelligent, that I am a good mother. Lately, I find myself wanting to grab people and shake them and say, "Can't you see how wonderful I am?!" Somehow, I don't think that would convince them I have good qualities, though. Might even scare them a little. On the other hand, what's wrong with bragging on ourselves a bit every now and then? How do we stop blending into the background, and shine? I think it begins with accepting the fact that it may not be noticed.
For instance, I cleaned the house two weeks ago - and I mean REALLY cleaned. I even steam cleaned the carpets. After the floor in the living room dried, I walked across the room in my bare feet, just loving the feel of those freshly cleaned carpets. I wiggled my toes and took in a deep breath of clean. It felt, smelled and looked wondefully clean. My husband walked in from a trip to the gun club . . . and walked through the room with his dirty boots on. I snarled. He didn't notice. He didn't notice that I had worked hard, and that I cared about how our home looks. But does that really matter? I noticed. And in my book, that's what counts.
Think about your good qualities. Jot me a comment with three of your good qualities, and tell me if you think those qualities are noticed, or expected. I'm interested in your opinion. Share with me.
Happy thinking,
Elle
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