Picture that person. Who do YOU want to smack in the face?? They’re in your office, getting under your skin, just… breathing.
Or maybe it’s a family member? You know who I’m talking about…
They sit wrong. They text too loudly. THEY “LIKE” THEIR OWN POSTS!
Their voice… nails on a chalkboard.
You hate them. No no. That’s too much.
Stroooong dislike.
And they even have friends??!? How is this possible? What’s wrong with THOSE people?!
PAUSE.
Now instead, imagine that your negative feelings are gone. You like this person. You accept them, and you don’t mind their “flaws.” You don’t stew anymore.
How do you do THAT?? How do you get THERE—quickly?
Ready?
You get curious.
What do you mean “get curious?”
Remember, that person is the star in their own movie, living their best life. Chances are, nothing they’re doing is truly BAD. It just rubs YOU the wrong way.
The answer?
Get curious.
Talk to them. Ask them about their past, present, and future. What are their goals?
Ask them about their hobbies. How they grew up. Ask them about who their friends are and what they like to do together.
You probably have more in common with them than you’d like to admit.
Imagine you find out what they are afraid of.
Maybe you pick up on specific beliefs that have colored their world, and though you may not agree, you at least understand their point of view.
And you discover what you needed all along—empathy.
Kindness feels good.
Get curious.
❤️ What makes them tick?
❤️ What is happening in their lives right now?
❤️ What happened in their past?
❤️ What were they taught about life that makes them think the way they do?
BUT, BUT, BUT…..
“That sounds exhausting and like a lot of work!”
How much energy do you spend stewing about them? Honestly, THAT sounds exhausting.
“But won’t that take a ton of time?!”
Probably. But just think…
How do YOU feel when someone shows an interest in YOU? It feels good doesn’t it?
What would happen if more people slowed down and took an interest in those they didn’t quite understand?
What if we didn’t write them off as bad, irritating, and unworthy of our time? Could that change our communities? Could it change us?
“But it’s none of my business! I have no right to pry!”
You have every right. And THEY have every right to refuse. But curiosity is completely within the realm of being human.
And if you approach them with sincerity, love and kindness, you might be amazed at what they share. And how you connect.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you made a new friend, all because you took a little time to get curious?
Reach out. Get curious.
It may or may not change them. But it will absolutely change YOU and how you feel towards them.
And that’s the whole point ❤️