make_your_move | From the Daily OM

A timely thought:

May 28, 2009

Small Gestures Make a Big Difference

Common Courtesy

We often feel that we don’t have the time or energy to extend ourselves
to others with the small gestures that compose what we call common
courtesy. It sometimes seems that this kind of social awareness belongs
to the past, to smaller towns and slower times. Yet, when someone
extends this kind of courtesy to us, we always feel touched. Someone
who lends a helping hand when we are struggling with our groceries
makes an impression because many people just walk right by. Even
someone who simply makes the effort to look us in the eye, smile, and
greet us properly when entering a room stands out of the crowd. It
seems these people carry with them the elegance and grace of another
time, and we are always thankful for our contact with them. Common
courtesy is a small gesture that makes a big difference.

An essential component of common courtesy is awareness and common
sense—looking outside yourself to see when someone needs help or
acknowledgment. As a courteous person, you are aware that you are
walking into a room full of people or that your waiter has arrived to
take your order. Then, awareness leads to action. It is usually quite
clear what needs to be done—open the door for the woman holding the
baby, move your car up two feet so another person can park behind you,
acknowledge your sister’s shy boyfriend with a smile and some
conversation, apologize if you bump into someone. A third component is
to give courtesy freely, without expecting anything in return. People
may not even take notice, much less return the kindness, but you can
take heart in the fact that you are creating the kind of world you want
to live in with your actions.

When you are out in the world, remember to be aware of others, lend
your hand when one is needed, and give this help without an ulterior
motive. Through these small actions, you make this world a better place
in which to live