05 Dec Happiness Lessons – Building Positive Relationships
Please enjoy this interesting little story I was recently sent by a friend…and think carefully how you treat people!
During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:
“What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?”
Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.
“Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say “hello.”
I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.
Again…think carefully how you treat people, all people. Happiness is not a solo or selfish pursuit. Real and meaningful happiness depends at least in part on the number and quality of relationships in your life so do all you can to treat everyone you meet with respect and attention.