Don't Forget To Say So: The Importance Of Expressing Yourself To The Ones You Love

For many men and some women, telling others how they feel is not the easiest thing to do. Also, many individuals, walk around with a stockpile of great intentions galloping in their heads. Maybe they know they love their daughter, their wife, or their father. Maybe they know they appreciate their boss, their neighbor or their friend. But they never let the other person know, and both people are poorer for it.

Who hasn't heard of the father who wasn't able to tell his son, "I love you"? You might be surprised at the amount of women who are unable to say this to their own mothers or daughters. Not to mention, long time friends who are afraid to express this most basic human accolade to each other because of social morays or prejudice. Again, all these people are poorer in spirit and in mind because they just will not open their mouths and say those three little words.

Why bother?

Here's the million dollar question! Who cares? If you don't open your mouth and tell someone, no one cares. Not you, not the one who appreciates you. People can spend their entire life walking around with a burden of grief on their minds. Some need to know they are forgiven. Some need to know they are loved. Some need to know their hard work is noticed. Whether it is in the working environment or in the home, people crave recognition. When they don't get it, they slowly build resentment, sometimes that buds into hostility. To break all that negativity up, all it takes is for you to lay down your pride, let down your guard just a little, and let people know.

Some of us are walking around on this earth with only the slightest inkling of a conscience. You know who you are! Some of us have achieved great wealth either monetarily or in recognition within our chosen field of study or by one successful endeavor or another. No one does it alone. Despite your ardent vitality or potent individuality, you still needed at least a few friends, coworkers, neighbors, family or all of them to get you where you are today. Those people need some credit, it makes their world a better place and consequently makes yours kinder as well.

The Workplace

Now this doesn't mean, after you've been working for a company for three weeks you should run over to your Supervisor and let him know you love him! Just start out with a, "Good to see you." Once in a while. Or if they helped you with a particular project, chime in with a, "I appreciate the help."

Again, these little phrases may seem a bit saccharin sweet to the uninitiated! But they go a long way to building better rapport with your boss or conversely your workers. I know by now, there will be some bitter, cynical reader saying to themselves, "No thanks, the thought of telling my laborers that I appreciate their efforts makes me look weak."

On the contrary, it's the weak who are unable to express themselves. Welcome to the age of communication, may we take your order? You see, old fashioned notions of quiet wordless relationships are an echo of the past. If you haven't noticed yet, we are living in the Information Age. That doesn't mean all that glitters is gold, it simply means we are all doing more to manage our own knowledge and information. Self expression is it's own Fountain Of Youth, or Golden Goose. If it helps, think of self expression as dollars coming out of your mouth. At least in the workplace, communication means money.

For Friends, Family And Neighbors

Again, it's better in most cases to start out small, especially for friends and neighbors. Just a simple, "Good morning." Goes a long way. Maybe eventually turn that into a few kind words about your neighbors garden or newly painted trim. You might tell your friend, "I love you man" when you are both stumbling around drunk like in the old television commercials, but do you ever mention it when you'll both remember?

For some people, telling their friends or neighbors they appreciate them, is akin to cutting off their own fingers. Rather than play out that metaphor in your mind, just take a minute out of your day and let them know you care about favors they have done or care they have taken in your life.

For your family, it's just as important to speak out loud, in a clear voice, and vocalize your feelings once in awhile. Again, many people think others can read their minds,  they tell themselves, "They know I love them." When in fact, they might not! It's easy to just go about your day to day, paying bills, cleaning house, running errands. You might feel that all of these are expressions of your caring for your family. You are correct! But your voice means so much to your father, wife, son or daughter, you might not realize it.

Start to realize it. Open your mouth and say so, let them know you love them. Say the words, "I appreciate what you did." Or "I forgive you for your mistake." Or "You really saved my life." It's important for everyone to hear the words. Express yourself a little bit at a time, and make the world a better place.