acknowledged
Mar 14th, 2009 by Nathanael
Our local NPR station, WHYY out of Philly, has a feature entitled “This I Believe” every Friday afternoon.
Select public figures will read an essay they’ve written on one truth that steers their lives.
In the pre-recorded title segment, various people sum up their convictions in one sentence with the simple, “I believe…”
One guy states, “I believe that every single person deserves to be acknowledged.”
And I must concur with this belief.
Whether it’s a co-worker or the person working the cash register or a neighbor, every single person deserves to be acknowledged.
When I ask the question, “How’s it going?” it is not merely a greeting.
I am curious how you are doing.
I love making eye contact with kids, especially babies.
Even they respond to being acknowledged.
Part of the drive of being human is being treated like you are indeed human.
Lack of acknowledgement reveals, in my opinion, the underlying belief that I am better than the person I refuse to acknowledge.
It all comes down to the Biblical mandate, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2.3 NIV).
this comment is a little late. i’m playing catch-up with your blog…
i think that acknowledging people is one of the most important things i do at my job. all my people have experienced some sort of neglect, abandonment, rejection, abuse, etc.. i discovered early on that kindness is very much appreciated & often returned.
yep, they make all the difference in the world.