As a millennial, and a member of the "me" generation, I see in myself and in others the issues we have with caring about each other. It's much more comfortable to stay in our own bubbles and ignore everyone else. I encourage you to join me in the journey to become "others oriented!"
1. Put down your phone.
People can love you back, unlike your iPhone. It's a great discipline to give your complete attention to people that you're spending time with.
2. Stop complaining.
Complaining is really easy to do, and kind of fun sometimes. Most of the time we label it "venting" so it's justified in our minds, but complaining makes situations unnecessarily negative and it diminishes the more pressing problems that others around us have.
3. Conversation.
It's not like people don't hang out anymore, but do we always have to be doing something? Talking face to face with people and engaging in real two-sided conversation allows a person to understand others rather than just keeping them around to catch a movie with.
4. Pursuing an Unlikely Friendship
Maybe you've only ever been friends with people on your sports teams or people that are your own age. That's fine, but differences between friends make things so much more interesting. Isn't the human condition enough to bond over? Am I right, people?!
5. Dig Deep
Think about those times in your life where you've felt so misunderstood, like nobody in the world knew or cared to know about what you felt. That actually happens to other people too; many feel too vulnerable and scared to open up without being asked. Don't be afraid to ask questions to your friends because you'll cultivate stronger and deeper friendships.
6. Pointing out the positive attributes in others
How often do you see someone with a gentle soul or humble heart and marvel at what God has given them? And how often do you point it out to said person? Making light of positive characteristics in others can make a world of difference. Don't let yourself draw back from complimenting someone because of your irrational fear of feeling awkward. It's worth it to tell someone what you appreciate about them.
7. Read Non-Fiction Human Interest Stories
Ok this one might seem a little out of place and I'm probably just biased, but learning about the lives of real historical people has made me so much more understanding of the human race as a whole. Books like "A Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank, and "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou have created in me an awareness of people, everyone's own unique joys and struggles, achievements and setbacks.
8. Cultivating a Servant's Heart
I'll be the first one to say that I really struggle with this one. Jumping in to help is not something that comes naturally to me, but it's important to work on being aware of where I could be of service.
9. Random Acts of Kindness
Seizing opportunities to bless people in whatever way you can will allow you to love more deeply in a whole new way. This doesn't have to require money, or gifts. All it requires is an idea and a humble heart.
10. Give
This is a hard one to swallow for most of us growing up in our consumerist culture. The truth is that God encourages us to give whether that be money or our matierial posessions. He also is very serious about reminding us "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36 Giving serves to reminds us that all we have has been given to us.
11. Devote time to praying for other people
If I've had a bad day, I know it's so easy for me to focus on my own needs and feelings and how I would like God to bless me. Praying for others in whatever capacity reminds me that Christianity is not just a relationship between me and Christ. I am part of a body of believers and a larger body of God's children. I will rejoice with my brothers and sisters that rejoice and I will weep for those of them who weep.
12. Learn more ways to love
When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, he replied "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind'....And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself." Along with active pursuit of loving God and loving your neighbor, God will give you a heart for others.
