May: Courtesy
Be considerate, kind and polite.

Saint Basil was an inspirational theologian and advocate in the early Christian Church. He was known for his ability to balance faith and politics, and for his care of the underprivileged and marginalized members of society. He authored the following:

“A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.”

Courtesy is one of those seeds that, when planted and nurtured, produces many positive results. Often we forget about the simplicity of courtesy and how one effortless act can cause someone to smile, brightening a cloudy day or become the foundation for a new relationship. Our world is busy and overly complicated, granted, but the few moments it takes to remember to open a door, say please or thank you, wait more patiently in a long line, or allow that annoying driver in the next lane to enter into ours, helps us foster kindness and appreciation instead of contempt or derision.

You might witness the positive responses of kindness and appreciation on a daily basis. Are you surrounded by people who understand the power of courtesy in promoting a culture of wellbeing and who model this character trait seemingly effortlessly or, are you tasked with being the catalyst?

Thank you for being you and please have a great week!