Sweet sweet Words

Over here Down Under, we don't like it if you're successful. We criticize, we pull you down so you can be as 'normal' as we are. We don't like it if you're being praised and have lots of money. The moment you make the headlines for something big, the next moment you'd be all over gossip magazines, scrunitized and drilled to no end. And when your life comes crashing down, we cash in on your misery, we follow your story and we feel sorry for you.

Yet it is common culture for us to go for the underdogs.

Why? It's just what everyone else does, so we follow.
When we go to a store we expect top notch service and if we don't get it we think they're racist and lazy.

But have we ever thought otherwise?

What IS the otherwise?

Sometimes we are so caught up with 'the culture' that we don't even know how to think otherwise or how to think for ourselves.
How do I know this?

A while back, when I was still a panicky, young student I had to sit a supplementary exam for an important unit. I sought help from a much feared lecturer who turned out to be the sweetest lady. She patiently went through my errors and pointed it out casually, she didn't judge me and she didn't make me feel dumb. I went on an passed the exam, and felt really grateful for her time and advice. I wanted to get her something, flowers maybe? But it just wasn't what people do. It wasn't cool. Fellow students disliked her and had nothing good to say. So in the end, I got her nothing. It stayed with me for months until finally I sent her an email. A reply of gratitude came a few days later. "Thank you. It is nice to hear such words, you don't get it very often."

That made me realize two things- that we can be more verbally grateful, and words mean almost everything. It usually tears down, but it can build up too.

We're so quick to pick on errors and negative things about people- gossip, calamities, and illnesses but why are we not quick to encourage, praise, and smile?

I am working on a habit to praise and encourage people for their time and effort. There are so many things to be grateful for- but it only counts when it is said.

Sweet words are like honey to the soul, it leaves a delightful waft of sunshine that carries us to a higher place-a place where everyone wants to be for a long, long time.

Join me?
Love you all. xoxo!