Does Anbody Like It?

"As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others." -Bill Gates

Kess Cup was this past week. Old and new friends came out in support of The Kessenich Family MDA/ALS Center at the University of Miami. The event consists of a golf tournament at Deepdale Golf Club followed by a wonderful dinner and great party. The support people show year after year is tremendous. My husband and his brother Paul did the emceeing and they tried to not get emotional over the outpouring but its hard not to when you ‘put yourself out there’ by asking friends to financially support a cause that is so personal to you and they come through and show you with their presence and support as well as monetary support that they believe in what your doing. Affirmation is one of the basic needs we have as human beings. We need to know every once in awhile from other people, do you believe in me? It is different than seeking approval. We don’t need it to exist or to keep moving forward in a positive direction but its nice every once in awhile when you are putting yourself out there to have someone say, ‘Hey, good job.’ Its one of those Amber Gestures we need to feel in our lives. I know the Doctors, Nurses and staff at the Kess Center feel this every year the center stays open helping families with ALS as well as being on the forefront in medical research.

My friend Shannon was there. She and her husband Tommy are great old friends and she reads the blog. And she asked me, “How do you put yourself out there like that writing about yourself and life?” And I agree, it isn’t easy! But every once in awhile I get a positive affirmation and it reinforces what I already know. If it resonates with me, it will resonate with someone else out there. (Thanks Shannon! She is the same person who told me don’t be afraid to spread the blog around people will take what they want and leave the rest. Great advice and so true!)

The five basic human needs we all globally share are our need for air, water, food, human touch and affirmation. I once watched this documentary on babies. They had a little baby looking up at their mother and the baby would smile and laugh and kick with excitement looking up at the mom and the mom would give them the smiles back. This would go on for several minutes and then the mothers were instructed to not have any reaction to their babies smiling faces. The babies would give their mom the same big sweet smile but the mothers had to just look at the baby with out changing their expressions. After a few tries the babies would give up and just look away. They were not getting anything back so they just stopped trying.

When you are giving something from your heart, as human beings we need to feel the positive affirmation in return. Remember this with your spouse, kids, friends, siblings, parents, dry cleaner anyone who is doing something from the heart. Who doesn’t feel like a million bucks when someone lets them know, I appreciate what your doing, thank you.

For some reason we throw these words around like man hole covers. “Well why would I say good job. They know they are doing a good job; I don’t have to say it to them. That’s embarrassing that I am admitting I thought about that.” Don’t be embarrassed to put yourself out there. Just do it, you have nothing to lose.  The worst thing that could happen is that someone doesn’t agree with you. That happens everyday so who cares? Have heartfelt moments throughout your day. Empower someone who inspires you with a heartfelt affirmation. We are all in this together.