collection: some of my favorite qualities in people

 Here are some habits and qualities I admire in others, in no particular order. 

(The tense is a bit weird, I couldn’t figure out the best phrasing to keep things consistent between habits and qualities.)

• Not taking yourself too seriously. 

• Taking other people’s ideas seriously. 

• Being disciplined in a particular habit for your own reasons, not for the sake of others. 

• Knowing what you think, knowing what would change what you think, and changing if it ever comes to pass. 

• Recognizing what others need. 

• Having a clear idea of your best individual expression and doing it. 

• Calling people you care about out of the blue - just because you thought of them. 

• Joking through bad times.

• Complaining little. 

• Getting others to reflect deeply. 

• Forgiving. 

• Being witty and sharp. 

• Being kind in ways that aren’t socially scripted. 

• Not just trying, but actually improving yourself. 

• Giving unusual and unexpected gifts. 

• Making conversation with strangers.

• Introducing people to each other and creating communities.

• Knowing how to identify plants/animals/rocks/insects.

• Great storytelling.

• Offering criticism well.

• Taking criticism well.

• Steelmanning arguments when in disagreement.

• Adhering to the zipper merge.

• Asking really good follow-up questions.

• Getting people to chill the fuck out without telling them to chill the fuck out.

• Offering advice without telling others what to do. 

• Having long and deep relationships.

• Talking to children without talking down to them.

• Making high quality comments on blogs/forums.

• Recommending great books.