The Gift of Acknowledgment

This morning I was struck by my horoscope that basically reminded me to nurture the current relationships in my life today, to reach out to loved ones, and acknowledge the difference that they make in my life.

It also reminded me of a status update from a member of the Pink Elephant Project Facebook Group named Ashlie that asked:

"What are the things that you think to say but feel you could never actually say?  What would happen if you said it?"

Of course I was quick to throw in my two cents about "difficult conversations" in the context of the Pink Elephant Project and talk about the promise.  To which she astutely reminded me that

  

"I don't think it's always something "bad" that we don't say... Sometimes it's expressing love or appreciation. I think it but I don't always say it."

While it sounds really simple, upon further reflection I realized that there are many people in my life right now that have been and continue to be incredibly helpful, supportive, encouraging, just simply fun to be around, and who put a smile on my face that I have really not really taken the time to acknowledged in any kind of intentional way.  On the other hand, I can also easily say that the people in my life already know this, and that nothing really needs to be said. They get it already. :)

So I asked myself: what would it be like for me to simply reach out and express that to them?  Would that be awkward, uncomfortable or wierd.... if so why?    For me it really wouldn't feel that way but knowing that I have not been that intentional in doing so makes me wonder...What WOULD it be like?

I know that if anyone that I knew picked up the phone today or shot me an email to just simply reach out and and say hello or expressed gratitude for being in their life  I'd love it!  It would leave me in a place of feeling even more connected and simply just put a smile on my face.  What a wonderful surprise and break in the day it would be!  I can think of no situation that I wouldn't welcome a message like that from anyone.  So why wouldn't I do that for someone else?

I guess really nothing is, other that the fact that I have been consumed with my own life and my own needs.   Its been quite a year for me and from the people that I've been talking to its been the same for them.   If you've picked up the paper lately or turned on the news its been down right depressing.   The message of fear and insecurity continue to inundate  us from every direction we look these days and if we're not careful it can affect even the most positive and conscious people that I know...myself included.   Add in the intensity of the Holidays and all of the logistics involved  and it can really infiltrate our experience, and if not careful, in a negative way.  I know I just got done with a couple of weeks of feeling pretty disconnected and just focusing on getting things done.

For those of you that have been in the flow and in the Holiday cheer...all I can say is Bravo!

For me: today, I'm going to take a spoon of my own medicine to have the Courage and Commitment to Communicate and be intentional in finding opportunities to acknowledge the people my life and the people I come across.   I know the more I look for those kinds of opportunities in my day, the less time I'm spending being consumed over the minutia of my own life.   Plus, knowing how powerful it is to be on the recieving end of a simple acknowledgment, it seems silly for me to not take that practice on all the time, let alone during the Holidays!  Whether its picking up the phone or connecting with someones eyes and extending a warm smile, or simply wishing someone a Happy Holidays, I think it could be the most simple and most powerful gift that I can give others and myself this year!

How about you?   Would love to hear your thoughts!  For now please feel free to leave your comments here or email me directly!  

Wishing you, your family and friends a very Happy Holiday's and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

From the heart

Shasheen

As I complete this post I'm reminded of Juan Mann the "FREE HUG'S" Guy.... Video Below If you're feeling the love.... and wait I just received a lovely email from a dear friend of mine Nancy... it just reminds me how important it is to just simply spread the love!