Light People Up
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Light other people up.
Why not do this? Why not be the person in other people’s lives who is a source of positivity and praise? It’s easy to see and focus on all the bad in the world. Being a source of light to others benefits them and you too.
No, you don’t have to go about it in a fake, cheesy way. And no, you don’t have to sit this out if you’re an introvert. Even people who are not loud and outgoing and extroverted can make the conscious choice to have positive impact on the people in their lives when the opportunity arises. Lighting people up isn’t about a constant, inauthentic stream of praise to those around you. It’s a mindset for navigating life.
Every person can find small ways to contribute to filling other people’s tanks. What that looks like can look very different from person to person and can be very personal, but it’s completely free and pretty easy to do this for others.
Are you the person other people want on their team?
Be the sort of person that others enjoy being around. Take a moment to think of the people in your life whose company you enjoy most — they’re probably people who make you feel happy, inspired, and encouraged.
Take time to be present and intentional about the impact your words, body language, and energy have on the people in your life. Make a conscious decision to be more thoughtful in how you frame up your words and contributions to people around you as well as how you respond and make them feel.
Being positive in an authentic way is free, and good for your health.
When you become really intentional about how you contribute and respond to others, you’ll notice the impact it has on every relationship in your life — from strangers to coworkers, to friends, and romantic partners.
And as a bonus, this also impacts your overall experience as a human being. The people who go through life focusing on making the world a better place experience a happier, more fulfilling life for themselves in many little ways. Doing good for others feels good and is empowering, which has a real effect on you.
Being positivity-oriented also has literal health benefits. Dr. Lisa R. Yanek, an expert researcher at Johns Hopkins University, conducted a study that showed the health benefits of people who practiced positive thinking and extended it to others. Her research found that “People with a family history of heart disease who also had a positive outlook were one-third less likely to have a heart attack or other cardiovascular event within five to 25 years than those with a more negative outlook.”
Life is short, and it’s not easy.
We all go through a lot just to be here. To make it and exist as an adult in this work is a lot sometimes. We can all use an extra boost of good energy and behavior on a regular basis,
Be a cheerleader, not a light bulb smasher.
Start authentically injecting light into your daily interactions, and watch the ways your life becomes happier for yourself and those around you. If I’m totally wrong, the worst that can happen is that you made a bunch of people that you care and interact with on a regular basis happier along the way. Feels like a win-win.
Sources:
The Power of Positive Thinking, Hopkins Medicine
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This article was created by Galen Emanuele for the #culturedrop. Free leadership and team culture content in less than 5 minutes a week. Check out the rest of this month's content and subscribe to the Culture Drop at https://bit.ly/culturedrop