What Would You Tell Someone?

What piece of advice would you give someone starting a new journey?

I went to a bridal shower this weekend for a good friend/former roommate from college, and I just couldn’t be more excited for her upcoming nuptials. I’m lucky to have formed such strong bonds with the people I met in college, and even luckier that we’ve been able to maintain our friendships over the past few years, as we’ve all gone our separate ways and pursued our individual passions.

In June, my friend will embark on a new journey with her husband. They’ll not only share the same last name, but they’ll have a new life together, with new experiences and challenges they’ll face together. All this reflection on challenges got me in a little Sunday-evening thinking mode… what would I tell anyone beginning a new journey? For someone starting a new life with someone else like my friend, or someone starting a new job, or someone facing a difficult decision? I put together a short list below, and I think these can be applied to anyone starting a new chapter in their life. Maybe this is common sense, maybe this comes naturally, but a little reminder never hurt anyone.

Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Whether you’re having an argument with your significant other, trying to compromise with a coworker, or you’re just having one of those days where the little things seem to bug you, it’s important to see the other side of the issue. Understanding and accepting the other side of the story is the first step in resolving issues.

Stand up for what you believe in. This might seem a little contradictory to the previous one, but you have your opinion, and even if it differs from another person’s, it’s yours. Own it and respect it.

Mind your manners. Say please and thank you. Be polite. Be respectful.

Apologize—and mean it. Apologize when you need to, and when you apologize—mean it.

Accept. Accept others for who they are. Appreciate their strengths, and love their weaknesses. Life is a journey, and everyone’s growing. You can learn from not only accepting the faults and strengths of others, but also from accepting your own.

Always remember to smile. A smile can change the course of your day. I know when I’m feeling a little down, or when I feel the weight of a challenge on my shoulders, it can really help to see someone smiling and just happy to be alive. Smiles are contagious. Your smile can truly turn your day around.

This is just a brief list, and it’s pretty broad. What would your advice be for a newlywed? What about a new coworker, or a new student? What would you add to this broad list?

Photo: Thanks worldwidewandering