I want to write a companion piece to my last post.
I spend a fair amount of time talking about the things that drive me absolutely insane. This is my creative outlet. The place where I can say all the things I want to say that I can’t always say sitting in traffic or in the middle of Publix. Because let’s be honest: Being a person with common sense in a world that’s seriously lacking common sense is not a gift. It’s actually quite frustrating.
But despite how it might sound on the blog, I’m actually a kind, generous, nice person who does see the good in people. That said, after spending all day Monday telling you guys what I find absolutely gross about people, I thought I’d spend today telling you all the things I find absolutely beautiful about people. And also mentioning how incredibly fortunate I am to be surrounded by people who encompass so many of these beautiful qualities.
There are just certain qualities that I feel make people more beautiful than they already are, and I want to share those.
People who remember the little things.
The people who remember the small details? Those are the most beautiful people in the world because they are the ones paying attention. They are the ones filing things away in the back of their minds that lets the people in their lives know they are special, noticed, and loved. The people who text you to wish you good luck the day of your child’s big golf match or football game.
The people who remember your favorite flower or something you mentioned years ago. The people who remember that you love a certain cookie, bake them, and then drop some off for you. It’s such a small thing, but it’s such a huge thing.
People who are genuinely excited for other people.
Not performatively excited. Actually excited. Truly happy. The people who celebrate you and want to see you succeed. The people who are in your corner cheering you on. The people who know that your success does not demean them in any way. Those people are gold.
People who can laugh at themselves.
If you cannot laugh at yourself, what’s up? There’s something so special about people who can tell a story in which they are clearly the idiot, but they can laugh at themselves in the middle of telling the story. Bonus points if they laugh so hard you can’t even understand the story because they can’t get the words out. Life is not that serious, and being able to laugh at yourself is a gift.
People who are kind when no one is watching.
This is my favorite quality in people. People who do kind things that don’t benefit them or create any notice. The people who take your cart and put it away for you when you’re at the store. The people who notices someone struggling and helps. The person who offers a genuine compliment because it feels right. The person who is kind to those who are just doing their job. There is something so beautiful about kindness performed when there are no witnesses that just makes it feel so good.
People who make room for other people.
I can confidently say that I do not have one single friend who will not introduce themselves and try to get to know you when they meet a new friend for the first time. They will include you in conversations. They won’t pair off and talk to only people they know and leave you out. You are embraced and welcomed and treated like an old friend from day one. Even if they don’t get a good vibe from you. Because they are just kind people who always make an effort. It’s beautiful.
People who show up.
If not physically, at least emotionally. I love a friend who checks in with you when they know you’re overwhelmed. The friend who makes time for you when they know you’re having a bad day. The friend who is there for you when you need it, but also there for you when you don’t.
People who make ordinary moments feel special.
Perhaps the single most beautiful thing about some people is their ability to make every single thing feel like a special moment. My favorite people on earth are the people I have taken some truly amazing vacations with, but they are also the people who make sitting in our living rooms in our pajamas feel like a perfect day. Every moment is just special and enjoyable and fun. What a beautiful quality.
People who are excited about the little things.
Some people are only excited about the big things. The next big trip or big event. And that’s okay…those are always fun things to be excited about. But it’s the people excited about the little things that do it for me. The ones excited about a new recipe. Or, for example, me. When my best friend makes her homemade vanilla and brings me a bottle…no one is more excited than me. Or when my girlfriend runs to Trader Joes and thinks to grab me a new bottle of bourbon vanilla paste (What? I like to bake and vanilla is a staple). People who are excited about the little things are truly the best people in life.
People who know you well.
The friends and loved ones that know you well enough to read a text and understand that you’re in a bad mood, frustrated, or upset and show up for you no matter where they are…what a beautiful quality. Even if they can’t be there with you, they work hard to cheer you up and be a bright spot in your day. That’s a quality that’s just so underrated, but it’s one of the best qualities a person has.
There are so many beautiful qualities that so many people possess. I think that part of being a beautiful person is often the smallest things that add up into the biggest things. I am so grateful to have so many beautiful people in my life who love me, show me they love me through their actions, and who add so much value to my life.
