Caring about people comes first

I have a dear friend who is always thoughtful. He is the type of person who will have delivered to your doorstep chicken soup when you have a cold. He always opens the door for everyone and is the first person there for any of his friends if someone is experiencing hardship. He may be at his weekender and someone is having a tough time, and every single time, he drives back and is there for them.

I remember when he had a large staff base and he did exactly the same thing for everyone who was working for him. Mind you, he probably is the most liked person I have ever met in my life and he comes from a line of family members with the same sense of caring for others and good manners.

When your staff are having problems in their lives or perhaps are uncertain about their careers - often just by being a non-judgemental ear for them is all that they need to get back on track.

If someone suffers a death in their family, by sending a card to say you care, by offering to be an 'ear' for them or by giving them a hug - can work wonders.

For friends that are having hard times, letting them know you are there and will always be there regardless can be comforting.

And for relationships... taking time to understand the issues, thinking about both sides of an equation, making them feel loved and cherished and overall being there when they need you most ... keeps relationships together.

If you think about the different audiences and apply it to your life, you will always come out a winner and you will be better for it. There is nothing more rewarding in life than what it feels like to put someone else before yourself and genuinely care about the people around you.

We are all human. We all make mistakes and its the good ones that own up to it and move forward that live rewarding lives.

Mellissah Smith, Atlanta.