In the last year or so opportunities to affirm have popped out at me, reminding me of the importance of intentional recognition of identity and gifts. A lot of people, I think, worry about coming off as kiss-butts or as not being genuine. Most of the time, that doesn't bother me, as I know I mean it and expect that to come through.
I also want to tout people to others, something I've coined (as far as I know), Good Gossip. This mainly consists of talking with someone about the good or great things about someone else, then often using that later to tell them you were talking about them...in only good ways.
This might already exist in your life but you don't know it yet. It did in mine as I was on the receiving end and it caught me off guard! It's happened a few times here and there, and by some strange effect, it always makes me feel better than if the person had come directly to me and said it. There's a different kind of something in knowing that people are out there talking good about you; it kind of breaks down that insecurity that, whether we admit it or not, we all face; wondering, what do people think of me? And you have to know it's not just flattery, if someone's saying those things about you to someone else.
It excites me to think about the positive effect of building this admittedly basic concept of Good Gossip into our culture, as Christians or well-meaning people of whatever religious stance. If nothing else, the world needs more positivity to break the cycle of brokenness and misunderstanding.
What would it mean for your life to speak well of people when they're not around?
(I usually don't insert videos, but it's too perfect)
