I was having a conversation with a friend a while back on how we best love the people around us and let them operate out of their strong areas. Basically, how do I bring out the most enjoyable characteristics in a person when so much of the time, we live in a society we are desiring to make others look bad by pointing out their weaknesses?

This question has led me on an intriguing journey the last few months, and I am learning something: it is a lot more difficult to be frustrated or annoyed with people when you realize they have some words (or skills) of wisdom to offer. People are meant to be in community and when we come together, there is a beautiful outcome when we seek to learn from each other.

The challenge is this: who is bothering you today? Is it your brother or sister, your friends, a coworker, your parents, your teammates? Chances are the moment I asked who bothers you, a face came to mind. Well here's what we ought to start doing with that person: take the time to figure out their strengths. What I mean by this is what does the person do best, teach, listen, coach, encourage, be in the outdoors? I even love asking this question of the people who aren't bothering me on a specific day. We let our teachers show us a new way to do something we might do on a daily basis. We explore the outdoors with the people who opt outside. We let our encouragers give advice and speak positive affirmation into the lives of people they interact with. In a nutshell, we focus on letting them do the very thing that makes them unique.

So take your eyes off of your own strength and weaknesses and look to the strengths of others. When you get frustrated or see another person having a tough time, make it your goal to let them perform as their strongest version of themselves, chances are, you will find yourself learning to appreciate people in some of the most frustrating situations.