I MISSED OUT

Recognition and appreciation

are key elements in advancing healthy mental and emotional growth in human beings. It is the tendency of people to reciprocate with appreciation when they are shown appreciation. It is true, we don’t only live our lives properly,  in order to receive honor or to be appreciated. However, there is no denying that the encouraging feeling one has from being appreciated, goes a long way. It is fuel that keeps people going and energizes them to continue on the right path and to do good deeds. When we train ourselves to express our appreciation for another persons efforts, by saying thank you, or acknowledging their contribution to society, it also trains us to be more grateful to Hashem and to also say thank you to Him.

There is a saying that no good deed goes unnoticed. If people don’t pay attention, Hashem surely does. Sometimes He lets you know directly and sometimes He lets you know indirectly. Whatever the case may be, saying a kind word or giving a compliment, encourages people and allows them to know, that they make a difference.

Spent a Shabbos in Tom’s River. After davening a middle aged man approached me out of the blue and asked, “Are you Rabbi Singer? Did you teach in Yeshiva Karlin Stolin, Brooklyn some 30 years ago? I missed out. You could have been my Rebbi. I remember you were the best Rebbi.”

Hard to imagine receiving such a compliment from an individual that was not even in my class. Yet he came over, just to express positive encouraging feelings. How special. It was nice to hear some thirty years later, that my presence in the Yeshiva made a difference. Not so sure if his compliment was totally true and what interaction we had back then, that prompted him to say what he said.

Everyone can agree however, that receiving a compliment is refreshing. Therefore it would  be wise for us to train ourselves to be complimentary whenever possible, so that others can feel the same way we felt, when we received one.

One of the greatest Mitzvos an individual can perform is to make another Jew, one of Hashem’s children, feel good. It doesn’t even, have to cost any money, nor does it require any strenuous action. Just one good word, to at least one person every single day, will surely go a long way.