I have been thinking about how we acknowledge one another. I used to think that I didn’t need acknowledgement – I wasn’t doing things to be acknowledged, I was doing them because they were the right thing to do. Yet, lately I’ve realized that there is so much to that feeling of being acknowledged (maybe not for what we do but for who we are) that it’s critical to our existence. The truth is that we need to be acknowledged as a person, partner and parent and it is OK to admit that we want to be acknowledged!

I read an article recently that reminded me of the following: Remember when the Wizard of Oz gives the Scarecrow his brains, the Tin Man his heart and the Lion his courage? Think about what he was doing. The Wizard wasn’t actually giving them anything. All he really did was acknowledge them for what they already possess … for who they are! That’s what I’m talking about (it took me until age 50 to get that meaning out of the Wizard of Oz???!!!)!

Acknowledgement is about being real, letting go of your own ego and delivering more than just a compliment. It is about acknowledging someone in such a way that they feel it in their bones. It’s about the other person hearing the honesty in your voice or through your eyes. There are many types of acknowledgement: a simple “Thank you,” a smile, a statement like,”I love who you are” … the list goes on.

Acknowledgement can be with someone you have known for a lifetime or just met (like the genuine thank you to the cashier at the grocery store). It can be the person you are married to or just dating. It can be your kids, your friends and your family. We create a world full of empowered people when we acknowledge the gifts that others bring to the table. It costs nothing to acknowledge people. It is the easiest thing to do, yet, we really don’t do it enough.

I am going to practice delivering more acknowledgements and as genuinely as I can. I need to thank my kids for really working on practicing what I preach … even when they are not super sure about it! I need to thank my friends who really do just love me for all my faults. And, I need to acknowledge and thank my father for giving me life, guidance, real love and just for being there.

Acknowledge someone today …. and be with those who acknowledge you. I promise it will feel fantastic!