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Free (parking) Validation for Life
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around" - Leo F. Buscaglia
What would you do for validation? Would you stand in line for hours? Maybe even park a few blocks away?
Would you change your everyday routine to make time for free validation? Probably. But I'm not talking about parking...
Say What?
What I'm talking about is self-esteem building, life affirming, positive reinforcing, good finding, genuine verbal validation. The kind some people so desperately need to hear, but rarely do. These words can heal broken relationships, give someone courage, even talk someone off of a ledge.
In a world where most of the talk you hear is negative, it's easy to miss how powerful a positive word can be. Unfortunately, today's society saves it's good news and joyous messages only for birthdays and certain holidays, usually in the form of a card, written by someone who gets paid to do it.
Below is one of the best videos I have ever seen, especially in relation to positive, uplifting, words of affirmation. It is very entertaining, but do not miss the message. I understand that not everyone likes a happy ending, or even positivity in general, but they can still watch the video I guess.
You might roll your eyes and say something sarcastic, and I could call you a cynic, but that would be judging you, and it goes against the overall message in this hub. So I'll simply say you're "rough around the edges" but I won't make any excuses for you. But alas, I digress. Enjoy the film..
I know what you're thinking. "I've never in my life seen a DMV that looked like that!" Get over it. You're missing the point.
The point is, we can all make a big difference in someone's day, if not their life, with the offering of a kind word. It's really not that hard to find something good to say about a person if you try. Really try. You never know how it might come back to you, tenfold. Although that really shouldn't be your only motivation.
Just remember this: "Words are like fire - you can use them to warm somebody up, or to burn them down." - Laurie Woodward. For every one you burn down, it's another bridge burned. And the more bridges you burn, the less people can reach you, and the lonelier your life gets.
So the next time you meet someone who seems to be having an "off" day or is obviously underappreciated, say something uplifting, encouraging, or complimenting, and I think you'll find there will be two people who feel better because of it.
"I can live for two months on a good compliment" - Mark Twain
Comments
This is great! Voted up, awesome, and sharing! I think this is the feel-good hub of the day!
Its awesome and thankful for the production and the crew.
Great to share the value of smile around the world.
Obviously with our smile we can make all's life honey...
I am smiling! Thanks.
I have to give a talk tomorrow at our Sanctuary and had in my head that I wanted to say something about affirming others and positive psychology. As I was surfing the net for ideas, I came upon this page and I am so thankful because it has made my life so much the richer. I will definitely be sharing it tomorrow with the others. I loved the video clip - so beautifully funny and moving. Great job!
This in now *officially* my favorite hub! Wow!
I also liked Denny Lyon's post. Sometimes the giver gives so much without ever getting. There's good everywhere. Sometimes, you just have to murk through the bad to find it.
Thank you, ParadigmShift. You've absolutely made my day!!
Love the video. Your words are so true. Love the comments as well. Think I'll go give someone a hug.
Wonderful video and entertaining as well. T J Thyne is a good actor. A lot of people don't realize it takes more energy to stay grumpy than it does to put forth a small amount of effort to smile. The real effort does come when you work at getting others to smile.
What this video also portrayed is how many people are so down for so long that they lived on that one compliment and were hungry for more. It's important to get strong enough to go energize the next guy rather than be co-dependent, draining the resources of the original giver. The givers can get burned out. That's why it's so wonderful and energizing when someone finally picks up the baton and carries on, multiplying the effect. Thanks for a great hub!
My pleasure, Paradigm! I confess the hugs video brings a tear or two to my eyes :-) The Validation video was a smashing success yesterday among my friends and colleagues! Would you believe my boss, whom I also sent it to, called me mid morning and said, "Elena, I call you to tell you how well you do your job, and what fun it is working with you" ... of course, that brought on plenty of smiles for both of us!!! I have bookmarked the hub!
What an uplifting hub and video! Flash a smile, pass it on.....and it could travel around the world and back, changing lives. Thanks for that spot of sunshine for the day, ParadigmShift... :) :) :)
Hi Paradigm! Great hub! The video MELTED me! I'm going to send it to so many people --with a huge smile on my face, too! :-)
I'd like to share one video with you, it's along these lines -- not exactly the same message but the same idea --the power of kindness:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4
I swear, if these videos don't move a person, make them smile, and feel, and feel good, it's because they don't have blood in their veins :-)
OK! I'm flashing a big GRIN! Liked the movie, liked the hub, and yes, it made me SMILE.
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