Self-improvement has been a goal I set for myself for as long as I remember, a sort of never-ending quest that I hope to find fulfillment in. It makes me happy to know that I have people to look up to, people my age whom I know. Being able to realize that even these people are human has helped me set more realistic goals for myself, instead of some quixotic ideals I could never hope to accomplish. Not everyone is the same, of course, and while I may look up to one person for their morals, I may look up to someone else for their confidence.
However, I judge how well I’m doing in my goals by comparing myself to people with personalities I can’t stand. I try to be as sanguine as possible, simply because I know someone who brings down everyone he hangs around with. I try to be open to other peoples opinions due to the fact that I know someone who refuses to accept anything but his own conclusions, as open-minded as those are. I try to have fun even when I’m losing a game, as difficult as that may be for me sometimes, because I know someone who becomes angry whenever they lose. I try to act affectionately but appropriately with people I’m involved with, simply because I know people who are either too desperate or too cold. I try to give as much space as is needed in my relationships because I know people who are exceedingly high-maintenance.
Whenever I see people act the way they do, I try to find the good in them. Sometimes I find both good and bad, but I focus on the good, a thing which comes easily to me, perhaps as a result of my zeal to become a better person.
Sometimes I find only bad, and it gives me more to work for.