Becoming Miss Congeniality

You don't have to be Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality to be liked by people around you. A Miss Friendship trophy or sash is not required for you to be named one in the hearts of people whose lives you have touched.

You can be everybody's friend through these simple ways.

1. Always have a ready smile for people you meet. There are times when a smile alone is enough to brighten up a room and eliminate all the negative thoughts and feelings present. Moreover, people who smile are seen to be more approachable. Once you become more approachable, people will come to you and ask to be your friend.

2. Find ways to reach out to others. Don't just stand and there and wait for them to come to you and introduce themselves. Initiate a conversation. Find common areas of interest. Or better yet, create bonding activities.

3. Learn to be a people-person. Learn to love to be around other people. Be curious about others. Ask them questions. Get to know who they are and what makes them happy.

4. Stop comparing yourself to other people. Comparisons will only breed contempt. Remember that there will always be people who have more or less in life than you do. Be content and thankful for what you have.

5. Be appreciative of what others have to offer. Be generous with praises.

6. Be optimistic. Always look on the bright side of life. This should encourage a lot of people and help them when they are feeling blue.

7. Be an honest person. Never cheat and never lie. This way, you would easily gain the trust of other people and they will hesitate to rely on you.

8. Be generous with your time. Sometimes, all it needs to soften a person is to show him or her that you are willing spend your time on him or her.

9. Be sincere in your dealings with other persons. Don't be a backstabber.

10. Love unceasingly. Take out hatred, remorse, or whatever negative feelings from your heart, and replace them with genuine love for others.