Accepting Compliments

I am fortunate to be surrounded by people who are continuously achieving promotions, awards and milestone accomplishments.  It's interesting to observe the different ways that they receive the congratulations and praise bestowed by interested, excited family members and friends.  At a minimum a heartfelt thank you is needed.  When it is appropriate to acknowledge the significance of the praise, that makes the other person happy too.  For instance, "I've always admired you, so your acknowledgment is ever so meaningful."  Or letting the other person know, "You've made my day!" assures them that the circle of goodwill is working well.  Though we've been taught not to toot our own horns too loudly, we must remember when we deflect or dismiss the sincere congratulatory wishes of others, we risk deflating our well-wishers and we miss the opportunity to have our accomplishments elevated by others. 

In the Middle

My mother has always been an amazing cook.  My daughter has also become an inspired chef.  I've finally realized that though I will never create their amazing meals (I don't cook), my role in their creative food worlds is to encourage, applaud, set the table, enjoy and clean up. 

They are passionate, prepared and professional chefs.  I have appetite, appreciation and applause for their amazing meals.  Though I will never rise to their level, I am happily stuck in the middle as their publicist and fanatic foodie!

Feather in your Cap

How often do we use a term without considering the origins? I was complimenting my daughter recently, and as the words, "feather in your cap" rolled off my tongue, I immediately considered how dated this sounded.

According to Wikipedia, "the term a feather in your cap is an English idiomatic phrase believed to have derived from the general custom in some cultures, of a warrior adding a new feather to their head-gear for every enemy slain, or in other cases from the custom of establishing the success of a hunter as being the first to bag a game bird by the plucking of the feathers of that prey and placing them in the hat band. The phrase today has altered to a more peaceful allusion, where it is used to refer to any laudable success or achievement by an individual that may help that person in the future."

Only when we stop to think about how dated some of our idioms are, do we consider that more fitting alternatives are not easy to construct.  "Jewel in your crown" is one of my favorites.  Most of the following just don't have the oomph of feather in your cap:

• trophy in your case
• badge on your sash
• fish on your stringer
• link in your chain
• line on your resume
• layer on your cake
• chapter in your book
• guest spot on Oprah or Leno
• course in your feast

Would love to hear some contemporary favorites!

You Make a Difference!

Who have you recognized today?

My week started with a fabulous, unexpected note from a friend (and former colleague) complimenting me and my blog. Made my day!

What a perfect reminder that we should not let a day end without letting at least one family member, friend, colleague and/or associate know that what they do matters to us.

I had the chance to visit later in the day with my dear friend who is struggling with a family member who is fighting to stay sober/clean and be a good parent/role model for her three precious, young children. A well-meaning friend of the afflicted wants to know what she can do to help. Given my happy start to my day, I was able to provide the hopefully constructive advice to call the afflicted friend once mid-week and ask her to share what positive things she’s experienced during the week. I think assumptive closes about successes yield positive results.

We all need positive feedback and reinforcement. You never know what positive ripple effects your constructive acknowledgements may yield.

It’s not too late today to let someone know that they make a difference.