Acknowledgement

First published January 16, 2018

Acknowledgment is a strange beast. We all need it, but it's unhealthy to be attached to it. Let me try and explain why.

In today's high tech world where the perfect selfie will get you more followers, and the cute video of your dog goes viral, notoriety is around every corner. We have taken acknowledgment to the level of attention-seeker. It's quantity over quality now. People’s need for love and acceptance has surpassed a sound desire to be acknowledged.

Some may say we do not need to be acknowledged, and that it is healthier to recognize oneself, and there is some truth to that. However, I feel that from the time we are children, we crave a pat on the back. How many kids have said "mom, look at me"? It's not just attention we seek, but connection, and belonging. I believe that is healthy, as we are pack animals, meant to live in communities.

I too have had my struggles with this. There is a fine line between needing to be heard, and needing attention to feel worthy.

Needing to be heard is important to heal wounds, to feel connected, and to move through pain. Seeking attention because we do not feel worthy, makes us change who we are just so that we fit in, and in doing so, we dishonor our true selves. Fitting in rules over being who you really are these days, and that is sad.

Today, while driving to go keep an almost 94 year old lady company while her family goes out for the night, I saw a man on the corner at an intersection holding a sign. Walking my way, he stopped at the curb, and he raised his hand in my direction. Without thinking, I waved back. In that moment, even though I had nothing to offer him as my own bank account is in the double digits, the smile on his face and the energy I could feel from him, you would have thought I gave him a hundred dollar bill. Just a simple wave of acknowledgment made him feel seen.

No matter our circumstances, or our current life experience, a little wave or a smile can go a long way. Recognizing someone’s struggle and having empathy, gives them a kind of freedom to start to move past what they are going through. Even if it is a little EGO based, telling someone how beautiful they are, can change the course of someone’s day.

Yet, we have to pay mind to someone who is seeking an unhealthy level of attention. We need to make sure we are not enabling them to stay in a lower vibration by being a victim to their current situation. Be a friend who either accepts them where they are, or a facilitator of growth, but try not to be an anchor and hold them down keeping them stuck by playing into their fears.

So, today's Daily Purpose is : Acknowledgment. Let’s take a moment to give someone just a touch of praise and to see them for who they really are. Raise your paw hand and say hey!

Can you see me now?