To me one of the most glorious things in life is the subtle differences among us (our unique voices, our different builds, our different personalities, our different styles, . . . ). When we get to truly know another or even simply pay attention to someone else, we begin to notice the unique and brilliant qualities of others.

We too often, however, simply view each other as people. When we look at others as people, we generalize who they and overlook their uniqueness. We miss out on the gifts they are offering the world, and more particularly the gifts they are offering each of us to see the beauty in life.

Spend some time each day just noticing others as truly unique and brilliant creatures. Think that you are blessed to be in their presence. Think there is something you can learn from them.

It’s not easy to do and I am often too tired and grumpy to do it, but when I do I am truly amazed by the brilliance of life. I’m definitely happier.

Timothy Velner is a husband, father, attorney and author living in Minneapolis. You can follow his daily blog – a series of discussions between the worry-self and the present-self at – thespiritualgym.me