French journalist and
politician Emile de Girardin once said on the power of words: Well chosen words
have stopped armies, changed defeat into victory, & saved empires.
A
few years ago, we got together with a few couples and were sharing on the power
of words. Almost all of us could remember the strong hurtful words that were
spoken either by our teachers, our parents and some of them our close friends. What
was more interesting was that most of us had done things in our lives to
disprove some of the things that were spoken about us.
W-Words
Isn't it true that we've often loved to
be around those people who have always spoken words of affirmation and appreciation? We choose to be around those people simply because we feel more
valued in their presence. It gives us security and boosts our morale to pursue
the things that we've been into even more.
Words have the power to hurt or heal a
person. We cannot underestimate the impact that our words have on an
individual. Words have the power to
shape lives especially in children. Positive words make them secure whereas if
they have been abused, they grow up becoming insecure. Words can make or break
a person. As a result, they can make or break a relationship in the long run.
Appreciating people always appreciates
them as individuals and therefore appreciates the relationship. Affirming
people always affirms them as individuals and therefore affirms the
relationship.
Psychologist William James has said, "In every person from the cradle to the
grave, there is a deep craving to be appreciated."
Appreciation always brings out the best in people. And when that appreciation is coupled
with acceptance, love and encouragement, the bond between the people grow and
it creates a strong relationship.
Take
Away Principle: Words
have the power to make or break an individual. Positive words can make a person
secure and therefore even securing the relationship.
Tips
on speaking affirmation and appreciation:
1. Take note of what everyone is doing.
Always observe and watch what everyone
is doing. It helps us to find key moments where appreciation can be truly
given.
2. Appreciate sincerely.
When giving appreciation, never give it
for the sake of giving, but mean every word that is said. Let it come from the
heart.
3. Appreciate specifically.
Don't appreciate generally. But
specifically point out what was it that they did that made the difference.
4. Appreciate privately.
Do take time to appreciate privately.
Let them know personally what it meant for them to contribute to the event.
5. Appreciate publically.
Appreciating privately encourages people
but appreciating publicly affirms them. Both are necessary. Always take time to appreciate
them in front of others.
