Acknowledgment of Others
As we continue through the journey to sobriety and emotional peace, we have come to a point where we feel better about ourselves. We feel more complete and accepting of ourselves and our feelings of goodness begin to overflow to those around us. For the next few days, we will examine ways in which we can be more loving to others.
Today, we will talk about acknowledgment. On the one hand, we want to show acknowledgment to ourselves for our characteristics, our feelings, our quirks. “We go within so we can reach out to others.”
We also want to show acknowledgment to others, simply because they are human beings sharing this space we call Earth. “We reach out to others so we can go within.”
There is nothing more loving than to be walking along, passing someone, and showing them acknowledgment with a smile or a nod. It’s as if our heart is bursting with so much love that it pours forth to others, and we show them that we see them, that they matter, simply because they are another person, moving through life as best they can.
“We all want to be seen, to be noticed by those around us. We need to matter to each other, and to ourselves.” A perfect example of all wanting to be seen is the homeless person, standing on the corner of an intersection, asking for money. You have no intention of giving out money. If you’re like I used to be, you feel uncomfortable and you stare straight ahead, avoiding eye contact.
This says to that person that they are not worthy of acknowledgement. Now, I know that some people are making a very good living standing on street corners, and there are some who have been beaten down so low, that they know no other way to reach out for help then to ask for handouts.
Either way, these people need just as much acknowledgment as the next person. I have found that it brightens up their face to say hello, to smile or nod.
We can do a lot for our sobriety and peace simply by acknowledging others. Remember, this occurs freely when we have acknowledged ourselves.
Today, take those good feelings about yourself and share with others by offering acknowledgment with a smile or a nod. Doesn’t that feel nice to do that, to connect with another in this way? Don’t you feel more at peace?
