We tend to get back what we give out

This is not a hard and fast principle that will hold true in every encounter but as a general rule of thumb it will tend to be correct in most situations: We will typically receive back to us the type of attitude, demeanor and behavior we present to others.

So, if we want to receive more kindness, courtesy, respect, graciousness and friendliness, we need to go first. We need to be the initiators of kindness, courtesy, respect, graciousness and friendliness.

Do you find that you frequently get a bad attitude from others?

It might be helpful to consider the attitude you are regularly presenting.

There’s a well-known phrase in the Bible—it is something Jesus said—which does not perfectly illustrate the point I am making but the practice of this phrase gets at the same basic idea: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Matthew 7:12