A Culture of Nobility

"So long as we live among men, let us cherish humanity."  ~Andre Gide~

How often do we look at other and notice their flaws?  It's so easy to see the sour look on a grouchy patient, the obnoxiousness of someone who always has something sarcastic to say, and to hear the whine of a complainer.  Often we can spend so much time thinking about how annoying those traits are, that we forget that there might be something positive about them.  Their name shows up on the schedule and the groans begin.

For the last 18 months I've been lucky enough to work with someone who sees and responds to the good in others.  My boss is not blind to the less pleasant personality traits in others, he just manages to look beyond them and play to their strengths.  At first I thought his magnanimity was the result of new practice ownership.  Surely time would deter that optimism and what a sad thing that would be.  Instead, not only has his accepting nature remained intact, it's contagious.  Things that used to bother me, don't seem that important anymore.  I don't find myself liking people despite their flaws, I like them because of their attributes which I seem to find myself noticing more often.

Dr. Morgan has a noble mind.  He has a generous character that assumes that the benefit of doubt is a God-given, human right.  He doesn't dwell on hurts and wrongs, but looks for the next good thing that he is certain is going to happen.  His high-minded, unspiteful attitude makes life good for everyone.  He's a happy guy and we are happier just by osmosis. 

I think people tend to assimilate the attitudes that they are most often surrounded by.  It would make sense to surround yourself with happy people if you want to be happy.  Our practice is a happy place to be.  Laughter is a common sound and the mood is vibrant.  One of the best things about being around someone with a noble mind it that he elicits the nobility that lies within each person.  He creates a culture of nobility.  The good news, it only takes one person to get nobility started.  It can be you.

Comments

[Kevin McGonigal]

What a great way to go through life. Do you think this is something that people can learn to do?

Kevin

[Steve Roesler]

Linda,

I really like your choice of "Nobility" as the operative term, followed by the characteristics displayed by Dr. Morgan reflecting the real meaning.

What a joy to know you are walking into that kind of atmosphere. . .

[Linda Zdanowicz]

Steve, I really do know how good we've got it. It's funny you called it joy. Dr. Morgan brings joy to the practice every day, even on tough days, or days we don't agree, he manages to slip some amount of joy into the day.

[Linda Zdanowicz]

Kevin I do think it can be learned, I'm learning at 52 yrs old.

[Mindful]

I love this. I love your appreciation of it and the wisdom that comes across in your writing. You are so lucky to be working with someone who brings such joy. A culture of happines makes such a difference to each day. This is what I experience at the practice I work in. The nobility aspect you mention is really interesting, I see it as adding another dimension to the delivery of the happiness.

[Linda Zdanowicz]

Hi Mindful, isn't it surprising that more people don't seem to value peacefulness and joy enough to consciously create it in their environment? I find that a lot of people seem to get excited by trouble and the associated drama. I think they've become used to being in a state of hyper-stimulation and peace seems boring.
I value working with Dr. Morgan all the more because I've been in unhappy workplace situations before. I say that he has a noble mind because responding to goodness rather than negativity is a choice. It's a conscious decision that he makes every day with everyone he comes into contact with. Unfailingly. That's the noble part. He makes everyone feel accepted and valuable. The great thing is we all have the same opportunity to be noble. We just have to choose to allow ourselves to be.