Guidelines for Being Good Natured as a Social Animal
Here is an incomplete and entirely sufficient list of mannerisms that one can develop with little to no effort. The idea of implementing something without effort may seem illogical, however, with appropriate self dialogue and respectful self-requests for opportunity to implement these guidelines, one will find themself unavoidably presented with chances to make good on the intention to "be good". Be warned.
Remember, "good" is a highly subjective and rather dodgy term. However, in reading the list, I am sure you will be able to place the usage of the word properly. Dear Reader, without further ado...
1. Get the damn snow off your car before you drive.
2. Never make a younger child, or less capable person feel unwanted at an event or in an activity.
3. Move over when someone is stopped on the shoulder, remembering to check over your own shoulder before you change lanes.
4. If you catch someone's eye and remember to do so, smile and nod. If you're really "good", you might put yourself so far out as to wave.
5. Ask people you speak with for their names, and say their name back to them.
6. Do not objectify people with meanness, or mean names. While mean can be another dodgy word, you will begin to learn this quality by how your gut feels after a thought or utterance.
7. Hold the door open when another is behind you within reasonable distance.
8. Take people seriously when they ask you seriously to stop, and avoid placing your judgement of seriousness over their claim of seriousness.
9. Eat with the people you are with, and wait for them to begin if it is prudent.
10. Do not leave someone to fetch your own devices (technological or otherwise) unless those people are done eating.
11. Do not make others feel powerless, and don't fool yourself into feeling powerful if you break this rule.
12. If you get an opportunity, share it to the best of your ability, but do not sacrifice the value of it.
13. Do not waste time feeling undeserving of anything- good or bad.
14. When you transact with a person, interact with that person. You know what it takes to go beyond mechanized routine.
15. Do your best to just be happy to be (t)here.
16. Avoid time checks to the best of your ability.
17. If you must check, avoid sharing the time with anyone else, and do your best to avoid their noticing your checking.
18. Pray for the protection and uplifting of your enemies.
19. Remove malice from your actions and intentions. Aggression is not dependent upon malice.
20. Speak with people, and not to people.
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