How others respond to us matters. We shape each other by our reactions. We shape our communities by our interactions.
Kids doing some daring feat like riding a two-wheel bike solo for the first time, might call out “look at me!” It’s great if someone is there to cheer them on and say, “wow, look at you!”
As you grow, the cheers might be a promotion at work for a job well done. There may be other acknowledgements like honors, trophies, awards, and commendations that say in their own way “Wow!”
If you buy something at a great price and tell a friend about it and the friend is impressed with your being such a savvy shopper that reinforces your pleasure in the item, you bought. If no one sees value in the unique object you cherish, does it diminish your regard of that object?
Suppose you live alone, and dress nicely each day though no one will see you, and you prepare tasty food that no one else will share with you. You exercise. You read. You learn. There are no gold stars for doing right things. There are no wow’s that admire you for holding it together, being positive and not falling apart. Would the lack of positive reinforcement change you over time?
Can you separate out the wow reinforcement? If there were no one to say “wow” about whatever you did that was special, or what you bought that was one of a kind, how would that lack of feedback change you?
Though it is good to be self-motivated and purposeful, being part of a community that can encourage us, and offer “wow’s” of appreciation, helps us thrive. The more we can offer each other genuine appreciation for the good we do, the more we create an environment that nurtures our capacity for love, creativity, and compassion. I send you a cheerful “Wow!” for reading this mediation and for considering the power of your “Wow!” in shaping the goodness around you.
All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing.
Penelope S. Tzougros, PhD, ChFC, CLU. Financial Planner, Author, National Speaker. Wealthy Choices.com. 51 Sawyer Road, Suite 340, Waltham, MA 02453. Direct to Penelope 781 577 2311.
[email protected]. Fax 781 893 3565. In all 50 states, Penelope S. Tzougros is registered with, and securities and advisory services are offered through, LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. She is affiliated with Bay Financial Associates, LLC. Financial Planning is offered through Wealthy Choices® and Bay Financial Advisors, Inc. Both are registered investment advisors. Neither is a broker-dealer nor affiliated with LPL Financial.