Receiving affirmation has always been important to me. It helps me perform. It helps me know that what I'm doing is worthwhile. I crave it, but only in certain forms. I want affirmation that I can receive without making any personal commitment. There's even a way of acknowledging it that seems to discount it when I'm really asking for more.
other: "Bob, thanks so much for doing such and such."
me: "Oh, it was no problem."
other: "No, really, it meant a lot to me."
me: "Well, I was happy to do it. Besides, it was easy."
other: "You are SO great. Amazing. Thanks again."
Sometimes, though, people like me for who I am. In fact, there are an increasing number of people in my life who really love me apart from the many things I can do for them. These people also (increasingly) refuse to be discounted. For some reason, this frightens me. Frightens and occasionally irritates.
Posted by nickles at December 15, 2006 04:08 PM | TrackBackyeah, being loved can be soooo annoying.
Posted by: An Aspiring Pebble in your Shoe at December 24, 2006 01:11 PMHmmmm to the occasionally irritating part. Hrmmmmmm.....thanks for the coffee by the way. Refuse to be discounted as in.....hm. For some reason this makes me think of how people shouldn't remember us for being us (our names and social security numbers and birthdays) but for the God in us.
Hmmm waxing eloquent at 1 AM last night was a bit much.
I think it bled over into Christmas, through my fingers on this sweet computer.
Bob, I will always remember you for how you love me and accept me, how you constantly affirm me, appreciate me, encourage me and laugh at my jokes. I hope I can do at least as much for you. A comment on how people loving you can sometimes be irritating. Of course it is, because we see our own unworthiness. But think of God's love. Merry Christmas.
By the way, my Christmas card is going to arrive terribly late since I haven't sent it yet, but I hope it still counts!
Posted by: Joanna at December 27, 2006 01:06 PMWell I fell off the face of the planet. During that time I tried a few different random numbers to try and get a hold of you but none of them worked... So you still around, whats going on, do you still like affirmation? I really want to talk to you because I think you're so cool!!
Posted by: jkrue at January 2, 2007 12:19 PMoye. you are one of my favorite people and I frequently think of you when i am having a bad day as a bright spot in my life. Yep.
Posted by: Natalie at January 3, 2007 08:02 AMI have a light bulb out in the kitchen. When are you coming back through to change it....oh and you're the best!
Posted by: a friend just for your abilities at January 3, 2007 09:36 AM