Are you being seen, heard and acknowledged?
And also, I won this amazing award…
"I love you"
"Thank you for your hard work"
"You're an amazing friend"
They seem such simple words
Yet we say them so rarely.
Or we say them in a flippant way,
Without truly being present.
We all long to be seen,
To be heard,
To be understood
And acknowledged
For who we are.
Yet we are also told
We should not need
Words like this,
To feel good about ourselves.
Our confidence should not depend
On external validation.
Self-esteem should come from within,
They say...
Let me share a story with you.
In 2016, five years ago now,
I received an award for
“Best Dutch Entrepreneur of the UK”
I absolutely loved it.
Made me glow for weeks.
The celebration gala was amazing.
Receiving the award at the embassy
From the ambassador was an honour.
I believe recognition matters.
To be seen for what we do
Gives us wings to fly even higher.
So this is an invitation
To not play your achievements down.
To enjoy compliments.
To grow and glow when
People say you did a great job.
Rejoicing in your accomplishments
Is allowed.
(Hmm, that is to say,
If those accomplishments bring
No harm, and only goodness).
Enjoy my glowing photos and video
From the Dutch Award Ceremony
And read my musings
On needing reassurance
Versus enjoying recognition.
Here's mine for you today:
If your accomplishment
Was to get out of bed,
I applaud you.
If your accomplishment was
To not lose your temper,
To meet that tight deadline,
To say no when you had to,
To allow yourself a nap,
To visit a dear one in hospital,
To visit your parents' grave...
Whatever it is,
Small or big,
That you accomplish today:
"I see you
I see your efforts,
I think you're awesome."
With love,
Karin
PS
And yes please, dearfellow Inner Pilgrim
If you have enough to give,
Reassure someone today.
Give them recognition.
Because why not?
It takes a second to say the words.
They might be stored in the heart
As a keep-sake for self-esteem,
A precious memory
That lasts an entire life-time.
