Thursday, January 9, 2014

New Years Resolution

         Ok, yeah I know I'm like 9 days late for this, but I'll blame it on procrastination.  No, that's got nothing to do with my New Years Resolution.

         New Years Resolutions are typical and commonly revolve around personal improvement: weight loss, getting fit, cutting out crappy foods, being more grateful, spending less money, etc., etc. 

         Well, I'll be the first to admit that I have goals to lose weight, to get fit, and all that good stuff, but those are things I've been trying to do for years and things that I'll keep trying to improve.  I've decided that those things aren't good enough resolutions for this year (for me at least, if you have a resolution that's similar to those, don't let me stop ya!) This year, my resolution is gonna be something that focuses on, not myself, but on others.  It's time to make the world better and although it's gotta start with me, that doesn't mean it needs to be about me.  

         My New Years Resolution is to do my best to build up the self-esteem and confidence of those around me whenever I get the chance and opportunity. 

         People deserve to be loved and shown that they are cared for and are valued.  There's always a reason that someone lashes out, has an attitude, treats someone badly, or whatever it is that makes the world gloomier than it should be.  If I can do my best to make the people around me brighter, I will.

If you haven't got a New Years Resolution, or perhaps you think this is just a really good idea, then let's go!!! Join with me for 2014 and hopefully every year after, to make people around us feel more loved, more confident, and have a better self-image!

There are SO MANY ways you can help build someone's confidence.  If you need a boost for ideas, here are some that I thought of, and the asterisks at the end of some of the points are side notes at the bottom!


* Ok, this is a huge pet peeve of mine, because I feel like it ruins the authenticity of a compliment.  When I tell someone "I really like your shoes!" and they return with "I really like your face!", it just really makes me want to never compliment them again.  The proper response, regardless of what's popular to do right now, is smile and say thank you and appreciate what was said to you.  If they have to come back with this face comment, or another  compliment that probably wasn't really a thoughtful compliment, I'm not sure they really accepted your compliment. Whatever the case, I'm just telling you that I don't believe it really shows that you appreciate a compliment when you have to have a comeback other than "Oh thank you!" 

**Alright, this one is a proven SCIENTIFIC, (not Si-intistic... Thanks Duck Dynasty) fact!  When you use a persons name in addressing them, it gives them a sense of importance and as you give other people that feeling, you yourself will end up feeling confident as well!

"Remember that a person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language."
                                        -Dale Carnegie, "How to Win Friends and Influence People"

*** As I said in the point, be engaged in conversation with others!! When someone knows you are focused on them and what they are saying, it shows them you care about what they have to say.  Also, after you've had conversations with people, when you have another conversation, refer back to other conversations that you've had with them to prove that you really did pay attention.  Doing this boosts their self-esteem and it also helps you to actually really care and get interested in that person's life!  

Let me know if you think this is helpful!! I'd love to take part in your experiences in building up other people.  People need support.  It doesn't matter that America is an individualistic society.  People need other people.  Show those around you that you really do care.  Next time you ask someone "What's up?",  do something different. Stop and ask them, "Seriously, how are you doing? How is life?  Is there anything I can pray about for you?"  I can't stress enough how important this whole thing is guys. So I'll end with this verse:

 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
                                                           Ephesians 4:29 ESV

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