Autore: Cinzia Scarpa & Sergio Cosentino
•
15 luglio 2026
There are people who, after we meet them, make us feel lighter. Not because they’ve solved our problems, not because they always have the perfect thing to say or a ready solution for every difficulty, but because—even with just a word, a glance, or a sincere smile—they remind us that the world can be a more welcoming place. These are the people with whom we can let our guard down. The ones in front of whom we don’t feel the need to appear stronger, more confident, or happier than we really are. With them, we can even show our vulnerabilities, because we know they won’t be used against us. And then there are encounters that have the opposite effect. Conversations that drain us, relationships that make us feel constantly under scrutiny, people who always seem to see the worst side of situations and who, instead of helping us grow, end up making us doubt ourselves. The difference doesn’t lie in the fact that some people are always cheerful and others always pessimistic. In life, no one is happy every day. The people who make us feel good aren’t perfect. They, too, have problems, fears, moments of anger, difficult days, and times when they feel lost. Their most valuable quality is something else: when they’re with us, they make us feel welcomed, not judged. They make us feel that we have value, even when we ourselves struggle to recognize it. Sometimes we meet people who seem to have a special glow about them. Not because their lives are free of difficulties, but because they’ve learned to bring something positive into the world: kindness, a willingness to listen, respect, and presence. People who are good for the heart share certain characteristics that often overlap. First and foremost, they know how to truly listen. In a world where everyone is in a hurry to speak, to share their own experiences, or to offer an opinion, finding someone who simply knows how to listen is a precious gift. When we talk to them, we don’t feel like we’re just a pause between one of their stories and the next. They aren’t already preparing their response while we’re speaking, and they aren’t just waiting for the right moment to bring the attention back to themselves. They are fully present. And that presence is one of the most beautiful forms of attention we can receive. Positive people sincerely rejoice in our successes. When we share good news, they don’t immediately try to compare themselves to us. They don’t turn every achievement into a competition. They don’t need to prove that they’re better, luckier, or more capable. They know how to be happy for our happiness. This is a rare quality, because it requires generosity of spirit: being able to see the light in others without feeling overshadowed. People who make us feel good respect us. They don’t constantly try to change us, convince us that we should be different, or make us feel wrong. This doesn’t mean they always agree with us. Someone who cares about us may even tell us something we’d rather not hear. But they’ll do so with respect, with the intention of helping us, not hurting us. The most beautiful relationships aren’t those in which two people are the same. They’re those in which two different people manage to connect without losing their authenticity. The people who are good for us make us feel free. After spending time with them, we don’t feel like we have to prove anything. We don’t have to wear a mask. We can simply be ourselves. We can laugh at our imperfections, share our fears, and admit our mistakes. Because we know that our worth doesn’t depend on our ability to always be flawless. Finally, these people support us during difficult times. They don’t brush aside our pain with simplistic phrases like “you have to be strong” or “don’t think about it.” They know how to be there for us in our struggle. Sometimes, big speeches aren’t necessary. Sometimes all it takes is someone to say: “I’m here.” “You’re not alone.” “It’ll pass, and in the meantime, let’s face it together.” These words can be immensely valuable. This doesn’t mean turning away from those who are going through a difficult time. Sooner or later, we all need someone to support us. There are moments in life when we’re the ones who need to receive, and others when we’re called upon to give. The difference lies elsewhere. There are relationships in which support is mutual: today I help you, tomorrow you help me. It’s not a matter of keeping score, but of balance and mutual presence. Other relationships, however, seem like a bottomless pit. Every interaction leaves you feeling exhausted, guilty, tense, or as though you’re never enough. These are relationships in which one person constantly draws energy without ever giving back attention, respect, or affection. Learning to recognize these dynamics isn’t selfishness. It’s a way to protect our emotional balance and to consciously choose which relationships to nurture. Our energy is precious. The people we spend time with—even without realizing it—influence our way of thinking, our mood, and the way we approach life. We often ask ourselves: “Am I surrounded by the right people?” But perhaps there’s an even more important question: “Am I someone who makes others feel good?” Because we, too, can become that positive presence we hope to find in others. It doesn’t take extraordinary gestures. Sometimes it’s enough to listen without interrupting. To remember an important detail about someone’s life. To send a message when we sense that someone might need a smile. To give a sincere compliment. Saying “thank you.” Asking: “How are you?” but really meaning it, with a genuine desire to hear the answer. We often underestimate the power of small gestures. We think that big actions are needed to make a difference, while often it’s the simple acts of kindness that leave the deepest impression on people’s hearts. Friendships and relationships don’t grow on their own. Just like a plant, a relationship needs to be nurtured. It needs time. It needs attention. It needs presence. A message sent for no particular reason. A walk together. A phone call just to see how someone is doing. A coffee shared together. A hug. These are simple gestures, but they’re often the ones that build the most authentic bonds. We live in an age where it’s easy to have hundreds of contacts and, at the same time, feel incredibly lonely. We have so many tools for communicating, but we don’t always find the time to truly connect. That’s why the quality of relationships matters far more than the quantity. We don’t need to have a huge number of people in our lives. We need real people. People with whom to share smiles, thoughts, silences, and important moments. The best relationships aren’t the ones without problems. Even the most beautiful relationships go through misunderstandings, differences, and difficult times. Their strength lies in how these difficulties are handled. They are the relationships in which we can be authentic, supported, and respected. The ones in which we can grow together. The ones that remind us we don’t have to face everything alone. According to Sempreunagioia, happiness comes not only from what we do, but also from the people we choose to walk alongside. Surrounding ourselves with those who can kindle hope, listen with their hearts, and bring out the best in us is one of the most precious gifts we can give ourselves. But there’s an even more important step: becoming one of those people ourselves—people who leave others a little more at peace, a little more confident, and a little more cheerful than when we first met them. Because true joy isn’t something you possess. It’s something that passes from one person to another. And often, the smile we give someone today can become the strength that person will need tomorrow.