Spreading praise
True praise roots and spreads.George Herbert, "Proverbs" in The Complete English Works, 276. The first word is critical: True The difference between affirmation and flattery…
“As you wish.”
The 1987 film The Princess Bride is an intergenerational classic with universal appeal. A loving grandfather comes over to read a book to his sick…
Affirmation
Sam Crabtree's Practicing Affirmation is excellent. He argues that the normal drift of our lives pushes us toward correction and criticism and away from encouragement…
Be specific
"Thanks very much: it is so interesting to hear exactly what people do like and don't like, which is just what grown-up readers never really…
Tell ’em
We hesitate to encourage people. For a variety of reasons. We worry that we'll sound cheesy or fake. Or that the moment will be awkward.…
Idiot light
I almost destroyed my first car. One day, thankfully, I just happened to be giving my dad a ride and he noticed a light on…
“You can do anything.”
An older gentlemen who has enjoyed a decorated career across the decades shared that one of the main reasons that he can do so many…