Courtesy, loyalty and giving back can take you places.

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There are certain individuals, adults and children, that everyone adores, respects and gravitate towards.

The kind of people you would do anything for. I see this in my dojo, what makes those individuals different?

Without delving deep into the world of upbringing, parenting and childhood events, I believe the following behaviour contributes a lot to being “those individuals”.

1) Having manners and being courteous.

Showing politeness towards others in your behaviour, consistently.

For example:

Using a person’s name or rank at the end of your reply “yes John”, thank you ma’am”, “yes Sensei” or “Thank you Senpai”.
Standing up when someone speaks to you. Offering to carry bags.
Opening the door for someone.
Offer your seat to a lady or someone older.
Say thank you and please.
Children getting up and greet guests arriving at your home or dojo.
Making an effort to great people you know, even if you need to walk a few meters.

The list goes on..

It takes discipline and hard work to consistently show courtesy, but it makes a world of difference and will open doors for you in your life.

2) The second behaviour is loyalty.

With this, I mean acknowledge and remember the people that contributed to your life path.

The people that helped you along the way.
The ones that played an important role at some stage of your life.
Show gratitude towards those individuals; do not just take it for granted. They never needed to help you or assist you in any way. They gave their time and expertise to you which is one of the biggest gifts anyone can give you.

It does not necessarily mean you should stay with the individuals that helped you. It simply means showing that you remember where you came from.

Examples of this would be:

Give them a call or going to visit every now and then.
Stay interested in their cause, support them, even if just a like on Facebook. Social media makes it easy to stay in touch.
If there is an opportunity, let them know you appreciate the role they played in your life

Many of us achieved because of people that gave selflessly; teachers, instructors, mentors, that helped us along our way, never forget them.

3. The third behaviour is giving back.

There are and have been people that contributed to your life. There comes a time when you need to pay this forward and do the same for others.
You need to do this unreservedly and without expecting anything in return. There will be grateful people and others that won’t be. Do it because someone once did it for you.

Give back not because of who they are but who you are..

How?

Volunteer to assist in teaching others.
Help at events or causes that once served you.

I firmly believe a person displaying these behaviours, especially when they are young, will find himself surrounded by a world of opportunity and will experience a lot of inner happiness and joy.