Consideration
con·sid·er·a·tion
Pausing to think about how your actions land on others. Consideration is kindness that happens before you act.
Another way of seeing it
Thoughtlessness is rarely cruel. It's just busy. The late reply, the forgotten birthday, the meeting booked over someone's lunch. None of it is intended, and all of it is felt. Consideration is refusing to let busyness be your excuse.
In relationships
Remember the thing they told you last week, and ask about it. Nothing says 'you matter' more clearly.
In the ordinary day
Do one thoughtful thing for a stranger today: hold the door, let someone merge, leave a kind note. Make someone's day a little lighter.
A question to sit with
Who made you feel thought of recently, and have you told them?
Carry this with you
Be the one who remembers.
Where it comes from
From the Latin considerare, to examine closely, perhaps first 'to observe the stars'. To be considerate is to look carefully before you act.
Try this today
Ask someone about a thing they told you last week.
Journal prompts for Consideration
- Who made me feel thought of recently?
- Where has busyness made me careless lately?
- What small kindness could I plan for someone this week?
Did this word resonate with you today?
Know someone who might need this word?