Forty-Four (57 Ways to Beat Loneliness & Depression)
Learn to Light up
A few years ago, one of the ladies at my church pulled me aside and asked me whether I was interested in one of the guys at the church. She said that she noticed that I lit up whenever he was around. She was right. I did light up whenever he was around. I enjoyed talking to him and listening to his wisdom. But she missed something. I light up whenever anyone is around.
As an adult I began realizing how important it was for people to feel missed and feel special and feel wanted. I realized how easily people feel comfortable with you when you showed them how excited you were to be around them. So I practice this daily. Don’t get me wrong, there are times when I don’t “light up” around people as I should, and there are some people that are easier for you to “light up” around than others, but that doesn’t change the fact that people are special and should be treated “special.”
So how do you light up?
1. Always have a big smile when you see them
2. Think of how you would react if you were delighted by something (how expressive your face and hands and voice would be) and do that whenever you see them.
3. Remember something from your last conversation with them and follow up with them.
4. Remember their names and say it when you see them (whether they are old friends or new acquaintances)
Remember to let your light shine – it’s the only light that some will ever see!