Living in harmony with others is easier said than done, especially in a world full of conflict, catastrophes, and differing opinions. You may have difficulty feeling in harmony with the people around you and with society in general. Start by connecting with your friends, family, partners, and neighbors. Also, focus on dealing with any discord in your life generously and compassionately, and give back to the people in your community. Make sure to also maintain your own personal sense of harmony so that you feel at peace with others.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Connect with Others
Step 1. Participate in community events
Check your local community bulletin boards for posts about events, such as a neighborhood party or a community garage sale. Volunteer at events in your community and donate items or money at local events. That way, you will feel more connected to your neighbors.
Step 2. Connect with your neighbors
Get closer to the people who live around you. Knock on the door of their houses and bring them something baked. Also, greet them when you meet them on the street. Be friendly and sociable with your neighbors so that you can develop a sense of community in the neighborhood.
You can also invite your neighbors to dinner at your house or offer them a drink to connect with them
Step 3. Meet frequently with your friends
Hang out with good friends so you can stay connected with them and they don't lose touch. Schedule frequent meetings with different friends once a week or a month. Work on keeping your friendship alive and well.
For example, you can schedule out for coffee once a week with a friend. You can also play a game with a group of friends once a month in the evenings
Step 4. Spend quality time with your family
Try to make the time you spend with your family meaningful and memorable. Have frequent family dinners or invite family members over to your home. Plan a trip with your family, especially if you haven't all traveled together in a while.
Even if you are not very close to your family, you can connect with them from time to time. You will realize that the more time you spend with your family, the more harmony there will be between you
Step 5. Show your vulnerable side and be honest with your friends and family
Be open with your friends and family when you need them. Don't hide your feelings or avoid sharing your emotions with them. Instead, show your vulnerable side so that you can feel more authentic and real when you are around those around you.
For example, if you are having a difficult day, you can tell your friends something like the following: “I had a bad day today. I need my spirits up. " Another alternative is to say something like "I'm not feeling well today, I need support."
Step 6. Be generous and considerate of your partner or spouse
Treat your romantic partner with respect and gratitude. Be attentive and grateful to her. Let her know that she is important to you and that you value her.
You can do this by frequently saying the following: "Thank you for everything you do" or "I appreciate you."
Method 2 of 4: Overcoming Differences and Disagreements
Step 1. Avoid yelling or raising your voice at other people
Try not to become aggressive or angry at others, as doing so will only make the disagreement worse. Take a deep breath and try to respond to others in a calm and rational way.
If you are very angry, remove yourself from the situation and come back when you feel calm and more relaxed
Step 2. Respond to anger with compassion and empathy
Try to respond to any disagreements in your life with compassion and patience. Instead of getting upset, think about how to overcome the situation and find a solution. Instead of changing people and making them accept your point of view, try to empathize with them and work on their flaws or problems.
For example, if you have an argument with a friend, think about how he might feel in that situation. Try to put yourself in their shoes and respond with compassion rather than anger
Step 3. Be an active listener
Maintain eye contact with the other person while they are speaking, even if you disagree with what they are saying. Keep your arms relaxed at your sides and turn your body towards the other person so that they know you are paying attention to them. Nod and say “yes” or “okay” to let her know that you are paying attention.
- Avoid interrupting the other person while they are talking. Instead, wait until it's done. Then try to repeat what they said so they know you heard them correctly.
- For example, you can say the following: "I think you said that …" or "What I heard you say is that …".
Step 4. Be open to compromise
Sometimes things don't go your way. You may need to find common ground with a person you disagree with, or ditch your pride and make a compromise. Accepting a compromise will help you get through the situation and prevent the disagreement from causing you to lose control or create a conflict.
For example, you may have made a commitment with your partner to dividing up household responsibilities, rather than arguing over them. You can also come to an agreement with your colleague where you work together on a project, rather than fighting over it or competing against each other
Step 5. Accept that you will not always agree with everyone
An important part of living in harmony with others is recognizing that you may not be able to make friends with anyone you meet. Both of you may have opposing ideas or values and it may be difficult for you to come to a common agreement. Be willing to accept that you may have to agree or disagree with some people in your life.
Just because you disagree with a person or do not agree with their point of view does not mean that you cannot feel compassion and empathy for them. You can connect with people you disagree with and find a sense of harmony together
Method 3 of 4: Give back to others
Step 1. Help a friend or family member in need
Show those around you that you care by helping them when they need it. Help them without expecting anything in return so that you can connect with them in a generous way.
- For example, if you notice that a member of your family is ill or not feeling well, bring him food if he is too ill to cook.
- You can also spend time with a friend dealing with a recent breakup. Encourage him by asking him out or taking him on a special date with friends.
Step 2. Volunteer with a local organization
Search online for local charities and organizations near your area that need volunteers. Pick a shift to volunteer at a homeless shelter or women's shelter. Donate your time to a local art festival or charity drive. Volunteering can help you feel connected to others in a positive way.
Volunteering is also a great way to meet like-minded people and to make friends or acquaintances. In addition, in this way, you can also expand your social network and feel less alone in the world
Step 3. Donate money to a worthy cause
You can also donate money to a cause you believe in. Make a donation to a local advocacy group in your area or a national campaign that ties in with your goals and values.
You can donate money to a worthy cause once a year or once a month, depending on your income
Step 4. Become a mentor
Look for mentoring programs in your area at local community centers or arts centers. Look for mentoring programs in local schools where you work with young people. Mentor a program like Big Brother or Big Sister where you need to support a young person by acting as their mentor.
You can also mentor other people by volunteering in an after-school program
Step 5. Shop local businesses
Give back to your local economy by frequenting local businesses in your area. Find local businesses and support them by buying products from them. Get to know the local vendors so you can feel in harmony with the community.
For example, you can shop at your local farmers market and meet vendors who sell products there
Method 4 of 4: Maintain Your Own Sense of Harmony
Step 1. Find a hobby or activity that you enjoy
Set aside time to focus on a hobby that makes you happy, such as painting, writing, reading, or drawing. You can also play a sport as a hobby, such as basketball, golf, or skiing. You may like to watch junk TV as a calm and relaxing activity.
Doing things that you like to do can make you feel calmer. In this way, you will emit a positive vibe that will spread to the other people around you
Step 2. Practice yoga and take a deep breath.
Stay in harmony with your body and breath by taking a yoga class at a local yoga studio or gym. You can also do deep breathing exercises to stay calm and relaxed.
Deep breathing and yoga are also great for focusing your mind and feeling at peace with yourself and your surroundings
Step 3. Take your time to practice self-care
Practicing self-care means paying attention to your needs and setting aside time to meet them. You can practice self-care by taking a long, warm bath at home or putting on makeup. You can also set aside time to read or take a nap. Doing physical activities like running or stretching is also considered self-care.
If you have a busy and chaotic schedule, set aside 30 minutes to an hour a day to focus on self-care. Schedule the schedule to avoid skipping or forgetting the scheduled time
Step 4. Use positive affirmations
Positive affirmations can help you face life and the people around you with harmony and generosity. Say positive affirmations in the morning before you start your day or in the evening when you go to bed.