Acknowledgement
I’m sure I’ve written about acknowledgement before, but I feel the need to revisit it again.
We are all looking for acknowledgement. If you don’t believe that, why do you feel upset when the supermarket checkout person, whom you don’t know, carries on a conversation with a co-worker while checking you out and completely ignores you, except to announce the amount you owe?
You feel invisible and inconsequential when unacknowledged.
You may not be able to do anything about another’s lack of acknowledgement, but you can certainly make sure it’s part of your package.
When someone does something for you, acknowledge it. The staples of “please and thank you” are a start. Good manners don’t have to be a thing of the past if you remember to keep them present.
Acknowledging someone else is acknowledging yourself. It’s a self affirming action that lets you know you both are part of a special club – the human race. Acknowledging someone else or their actions also makes you feel good. It’s a win-win.
It takes energy to exclude others; it adds energy when you include them.
A lack of acknowledgement is often not deliberate. Our sensory acuity may be so focused on us that we don’t recognize another. That impoverishes both of you.
Take time to notice people who come into your sphere and acknowledge them. It doesn’t take much – a head nod, a smile, etc – to let them know they exist in your world. Take time to acknowledge peoples’ questions or kindnesses. Again, it will also make you feel good.
It’s easy to practice. People are everywhere and we’re all seeking acknowledgement. Make it a practice to start noticing others and notice how good it makes you feel too.
All the best,
John
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