Page 20 - IFV_Issue 2_Feb_2022

Lifestyle

twelVe wayS to be

a better perSon lthough it’s already February,

the year is still relatively
Ayoung, so along with all your
BY MICHELLE L. RAYMOND resolutions, intentions and plans for
Being a better person starts 2022, why not include something that is
sure to bring more joy into your life and
and ends with you. positively influence those around you?
Here are some ways you can do just
that, beginning with yourself.

Many people are far too quick to criticise others 1. WATCH YOUR WORDS
while being blind to their own mistakes and This does not mean what you say out
flaws. First, take the log out of your own eye; loud to others, but rather, your internal
dialogue: what you say to yourself. If
then you can see how to take the speck out of someone had to talk to you the way you
your friend’s eye. spoke to yourself, what would you think
of them?
Negative self-talk is a hard habit to
break, so the best way to manage it is to
catch yourself in the act. By pretending
you are talking to someone else, you
can hear how you really sound and how
the words actually feel to you. Once
you decide the words are not helpful or
constructive, you can recalibrate your
language.
Try this, if you find yourself going
down the “what if” road e.g. What if
I fail, what if I am not good enough,
what if they find out I don't know what
I'm doing and so on . . . choose at that
moment to flip the question around.
What if I win? What if I succeed? What
if this all works out well? Think of your
mind like Google. Whatever question
you ask, it will find the answer. So to get
the best from your mind, ask the right
questions in the right way. You will be
amazed at what comes up when you
shift your language to positivity.

2. INVEST IN YOUR WELL-BEING
It is much harder to be a better person
when you are in pain or are suffering.
So instead of ignoring whatever is
physically or mentally ailing you, be
brave enough to address it and get the
PHOTOGRAPHER: LEIO MCLAREN, UNSPLASH
help you need.

18 • Issue 2 2022 • The Villager