May 20, 2004
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Affirmation
Growing up, did you ever think to yourself, “Dang, the only time my parents notice me is when I do something wrong!”?
I sure did. And I thought to myself, “One day when I become a parent, I’m gonna be different than them!” What I meant to say was, “I’m going to be more affirming.”
But seriously, if you can’t sincerely and naturally affirm the people around you now, good luck being able to do it later with your children! Now’s a good time to start.
Some basic affirmative phrases:
1. I’m so glad you’re here. So glad to see you.
2. Thank you for thinking of….
3. You really are the best!
4. I really appreciated that you…
5. I love you!
Of course the key to affirmation is noticing positive things and acknowledging them. It must be an outpouring of what’s in your heart. If you don’t genuinely believe it and that comes across, then forget it. You’re not doing anyone a favor! Pray that you could appreciate others better…
Affirmation is worth it. It’s so good for building others up. It’s also good for building yourself up. It cultivates a grateful heart. =)
Comments (4)
hey there mary ann! this is felicia. . .from gcc? hahaha wow i found your site through cindy’s xanga! just wanted to drop by & say hola! it was really nice meeting you (quite a while back i think! hahaha
). . .you’re such an awesome person with a constant great smile on your face. 
it’s totally breathtaking to see God working in lives such as yours! hope you have an SPECTACULAR week, and i will talk to you soon, k? blessings! love, felicia
I like to affirm people, but sometimes do not know what to say. So thanks for the basic affirmative phrases! I’ll try them out. You really are the best!
man, this is such a simple but very needed skill in America these days!! I encourage all my clients to do this too because they cannot do it with their children or with their spouses! It is simpler to see the negative vs pointing out the positives…but with a little conscious effort in the beginning, it will become a good habit while hopefully erasing the bad habits!!
oh good call mary ann.. i totally did the “i’m not gonna be like that!” thing.. but you’re so right.. we gotta learn to be affirming now.. God’s been convicting me of that as of late.