This Christmas presents a golden opportunity for us all to exercise leadership within our circles of families and friends by embracing the Nike principle and applying it to appreciating our personal relationships.
What do I mean?
The Nike principle is captured in their strap line "do it now"- and the "it" I am suggesting we apply is the verbal expression of appreciation.
Why appreciate?
Have you ever wondered why we often wait until a loved one is dead before friends and family express what that person means to them? I have. I have asked myself the question: "what would it be like if the person (now deceased) could actually hear these wonderful words of affirmation and appreciation that people are so generously sharing?" Now, some of you may be thinking "they can", but just in case they can't- I have a radical suggestion: why not
Do it now?
What would it be like if we consciously took the time to verbalise what we love and admire about our friends and family members? Too cheesy? I thought so until a close friend of mine died unexpectedly and then more recently another close friend had a stroke.
Just what are we waiting for?
What if we took the risk of being a bit cheesy and said those things that have the potential to bring joy, satisfaction and pride to others this Christmas?
As a family we have regularly (mainly on Birthday's) played what has come to be known as the "appreciation game"- even as awkward teenagers keen to brand the "game" as "sad"- we watched with interest as the person being appreciated (despite their best efforts to look disinterested) literally glowed with pride as affirmation upon affirmation was heaped on them.
So, why not take the lead this Christmas in appreciating your friends and family, don't save it up for their funeral,
DO IT NOW!
