We know so well, don’t we, all that stuff about change having to happen within ourselves. That it doesn’t matter what others think. That what matters is what we believe to be true?
It’s undoubtedly the case.
Yet at the same time it helps when we get affirmation and recognition from others. Recognition of that which we believe to be true.
I got some of that recently – a bit of recognition for the work I’m doing on writing for change (in fact I blogged about it here).
And it felt good.
I know this need for recognition is part of what makes me tick. Not in a needy, constant sort of way, just in a simple, honest, human way.
It validates our nascent hope for who and what we are. It sparks and allows our waiting pilot light to ignite. It helps us to get through, or over, some of our barriers. Recognition, from my peers, from my clients, meant so much when I faced and climbed the barriers to change.
It’s not about being hungry for approval… more enjoying the signals that we’re becoming more of who we really are.
What would recognition bring for you – what gifts does it carry with it, what fences does it allow you to glide over?
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I agree with you Jan. I think it’s partly that emerging sense of self, sense of who we are – and also the fact that we are social creatures. We want others to recognise us for that person who we are. We don’t exist in isolation.
It’s one of the reasons I think blogging is so powerful in that journey of discovery. It allows us to express ourselves, yes, but we also learn, develop and grow from the feedback we get. When someone notices something we’ve written and affirms it through a link or a comment or a tweet or a tumble.. it’s affirming that precious nascent part of us.
Which reminds me why leaving comments matters, and why I hope I never get too busy to write them
A timely reminder, Joanna – I fill my life with (often very unproductive) busy-ness, when what actually matters, on every level is building relationships. And that includes the one with our selves. Comments etc are indeed part of the validation process, part of the to-ing and fro-ing which creates the connections, the bonds.
On value and recognition from @janscottnelson http://twurl.nl/r7apby
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