I’ve always been intrigued by how people carry themselves. Some of us resemble roosters—puffed up, strutting, wanting everyone to notice our feathers. Others are more like sparrows—chirping the same tune they’ve heard before, repeating what others say without adding much of their own. Honestly, I’ve played both roles. Maybe you have, too.

It’s okay to seek admiration and pass along wise words we’ve learned. However, if that’s all we do—show off and repeat—we miss something more meaningful.

I once heard a story about an old man who said, “When I was young, I believed there were only two kinds of people—us, who were good, and them, who were bad. Then I grew older and met someone from ‘them’ who was kind and generous. That day, I underst...

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