My dictionary
tells me that personality is the "personal or individual
quality that makes one person be different and act differently
from another."
Personality is "the total
physical, intellectual and emotional structure of an individual,
including abilities, interests and attitudes."
Personality is the sum total
of all of our qualities. With this in mind, let's explore
the benefits and ramifications of a pleasing personality.
Today at lunch... one of the
hostesses came by and, with a pleasant smile, asked us about
our meal. We commented that it was delicious, and she said,
"I'm really pleased. We're glad you folks are here, eating
with us." After she left I commented to my wife that
she was certainly a pleasant, attractive, personable young
woman and my wife wholeheartedly agreed.
Unfortunately, many people
have forgotten that we can choose to smile and be pleasant
or to frown and be rude and thoughtless. Regrettably, too
many people make the wrong choice and, as a result, their
personality makes them come across as someone we don't want
as a friend or co-worker.
There is only one opportunity
to make a first impression and all of us instinctively make
decisions or judgments about an individual within the first
few seconds of crossing paths.
With that in mind, I believe
that when we teach our kids to smile, to be pleasant and cheerful,
to be courteous and respectful of others, to pleasantly respond
to requests or questions, we are helping them develop a personality
that will open many doors for them. Once the doors are opened,
only character will keep them open, so it's even more important
to give that personality a character foundation.
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