Written by: Margot de Cotesworth, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Watching a movie recently, I was reminded of The 5 Cs that identify the finest qualities we can demonstrate in life: Courtesy, Character, Conscience, Charity and Courage.
Then I remembered a favourite hotel group of mine, Relais & Châteaux, who also have a mantra that is 5 Cs. They are:
"Caractère, Courtoisie, Calme, Charme et Cuisine" (Character, Courtesy, Calm, Charm and Cuisine).
A little more research reveals that the world of finance also has its collection of 5 Cs:
Credit: Character, Capacity, Capital, Collateral and Conditions.
Let’s talk about the first 5 that relate to the qualities we should all keep front of mind as we deal with life and one another. Let’s look at 5 ways that demonstrate each of them.
Courtesy
Allowing another person to go through a doorway before you – whether they are male or female.
Offering someone your seat if they seem to need it more than you.
Making your speech impeccable – requiring that of yourself really keeps you on your toes. This may well include not interrupting while others are speaking :)
Treating every person and every transaction with respect and dignity. Put yourself in the other man’s shoes – then decide how you treat him.
Always saying “thank you” after anything someone else has done for you. This can also be very effective if you say it beforehand.
Character
Decide what kind of person you want to be then show up in the world as that person. Require it of yourself to be consistent.
Don’t tell lies. Just because someone asks a question doesn’t mean you must answer it. Better to decline that to lie. Try not to get into situations where telling the truth may be too challenging for you to front up to.
Be a person of your word. If you said you would do it – do it. If you said you wouldn’t – don’t. Be a person who can be relied upon.
Ask yourself who you are. Are you a funny person who always follows through and considers others for example? Make a one sentence bio for yourself that covers how you want to be, then be that person.
Conscience
Make sure yours is clear. If it’s not then make it your business to fix that. Go back and redo, undo or redress what you need to so your conscience is clear. If that can’t be done in person or in real time (say that person has left this planet) then do it in your heart. When forgiveness needs to be sought – seek it.
When you say sorry, mean it. There is nothing more testing than a person who constantly apologizes for the things they keep on doing. Stop that immediately.
When you have a lovely, clear conscience, show yourself (especially) and the world that you are doing things differently now. Be the change.
Just checking – are you identifying the issue, seeking forgiveness, making amends, doing things differently? Great, that means you can…
Forgive yourself.
Charity
This is such a great virtue. Be charitable in your attitude to your fellow man. If he is behaving badly ask yourself why that might be and see how you can help.
Giving is receiving. Curiously when we give we are not depleting our resources we are gaining a benefit. Think of giving as all wrapped up in the boomerang effect. What goes out, must come back.
Collaborate, share, support, donate, volunteer – you decide how best you can give.
What can you give? Time, money, food, attention, gratitude, love … you get the idea.
Join a worthy movement that has the power to change the world and how we live with each other. This is the one The Ball’s In Your Court Imagine a world where every day, everybody, everywhere does One Good Thing to make a change for good.
Courage
Stand up and speak up for others
Stand up and speak up for what you know is right
Stand up and speak up for yourself
Think. Don’t ‘do’ without thinking
Decide what you would choose to be courageous about and be absolute in holding to those convictions. The world is a better place for your courage being a part of it.
In a world that is sometimes very trashy, where people are not treated with respect, and honour is a forgotten word, it’s time for us to step up and remember our duty of care to one another and our world. Today is always a great day to start to make a change.
Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info!
Margot de Cotesworth, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Margôt de Cotesworth is passionate about enabling people to step into their own power to create the life they choose rather than the one they are living by default. As a clinical RTT hypnotherapist, speaker, coach and author of books on life and relationships she guides her clients through a process that releases the subconscious reason for unwanted issues. Then she shows them how to use their own innate ability to achieve and maintain their desired outcome. Margôt says “There is no looking back – the past does not equal the future”.
.jpg)