A penny for your thoughtfulness

I've always thought of myself to be caring towards others. In an act of service or gift giving towards another my intentions were always to show that I cared for them. I will admit that there have been times I had selfish intentions. I was hoping they'd see how good of a friend I was or simply wanted to show off for others. While it's embarrassing for me to write about my selfishness it's humbling. I need to realize my short-comings and work on making them better.

Lately, there have been many situations where I've had opportunities to care for people, whether by asking how their day went or by remembering a special event in their lives. Sadly, I have not lived up to my own expectations of being thoughtful. I feel as though not being thoughtful is a sign of not listening to an other's life. Perhaps I'm not taking the time to really hear what's going on in a friends heart.

There are times where I walk away from someone and after returning home I all of sudden think of something I should have done to be thoughtful. For example, saying, "I'll be praying for you" or actually doing it. Instances have happened where I had forgotten about an important event in that persons life, or unimportant for that matter, that I could have asked about. Telling a girlfriend that they were wearing a cute shirt or that their hair looked nice always makes a woman feel good. Just being curious to what's happening in their life, I think, displays thoughtfulness.

I don't know enough about the development of personalities but it seems some people are naturals at being thoughtful, just as some people are naturals at solving logic puzzles. Is it a person's environment they grow up in or is it just a matter of genes that molds and shapes their character? Either way, I feel thoughtfulness is not a strong point for me.

It can be argued that I'm being a little hard on myself, but I see this as an opportunity to be a better friend and sharpen my character. Being a person who likes to put ideas into action I'm going to start being more intentional on a daily basis. Here are some ideas I have and I'd like to hear ways in which you are thoughtful!

Send out 'thinking of you' cards/emails

Plan get-togethers

Focus on one specific event in a friends life and ask them about it next time I see them

Listen

Ask questions about how someone is feeling

Take notice of something and comment on it

Those are my initial thoughts....I need more though so let me have it!!!

I like to be a person of action so I'm going to take this and put it to use. Here are some things I've thought of to be intentionally thoughtful: