Words of Affirmation

Who has ever read The Five Languages of Love? I read it over 5 years ago, completely loving it. The information it gave me not only helps me show my love to my husband (he's an Act of Service person), but I can see what my kids are in my classroom and it helps me decide how to give them feedback, whether it's a pat on the back, a kind word, etc.

We recently had a party over at our house on a Friday afternoon before the real Welcome Back party for CSOL (Charleston School of Law). I hurried home from school to bake a few of my favorite snacky foods before everyone came over. I did a buffalo chicken dip (that my wonderful sister-in-law began making for our family- so I jacked the recipe!) and two gourmet white pizza's that I blogged about back in the summer. I was in the kitchen for about an hour, which I didn't mind at all. I love to make and bake things for my friends! But most of all, I love to hear feedback. Especially the good kind! I had so many people tell me how wonderful the party was, how great the house looked (we have done a lot to it!), and how good my food was. My head was swelling all night.

The nicest thing someone can do for me is tell me how much they appreciate me or what a great job I did. It makes me feel so special and makes me want to push myself to do even more. I know not everyone is like this and doesn't think this way. This is one reason why I have issues with education. It's a no appreciation type of job, where you give and give and give and hardly hear thank-you or good job. Administrators, interventionists, and DO people are too busy trying to figure out what you're doing wrong to notice the good things.

While I like to praised, I sometimes have to consciously think about praising others and make it a point to build them up. In our busy world, we try so hard to be so focused on fixing problems, that we lose track about what we're doing right. I guess I try to pay it forward, cause I need you to give it back to me!! :-)

It would be a sad world if no one said thank-you, good job, gave pats on the back, did things for others, or made it a point to connect and bond with each other. Pay it forward- do something nice for someone else and hopefully you'll get some love back!