How to Live Make Others Feel Special

There are days, maybe weeks and months at a time where I am so caught up in my own [stuff] that I move through life as if I am the center of the universe (complete self-absorption).  I do things for others; I love others; I pray for others, but I don't think about my impact on others as I should.

Sometimes people need to HEAR that they are the easiest person for me to talk to.  Or that they make me smile ever time I think about them. Or that they did a great job. Or perhaps they just need to hear that they are special, in whatever way, just because.

We are all special unique, wondrous, fantastic individuals and we need to tell each other that,  often.

In my younger years it was really hard for me to compliment someone.  It felt like I was giving the other person a piece of my soul.  Sounds hyperbolic, I suppose, but that is how it felt - like it was taking something away from me if I acknowledged a talent, trait, characteristic, or achievement I admired in someone else.

Chalk it up to immaturity, or low self esteem on my part, but being an encourager was something I had to grow into. Something I had to force myself to do until it became comfortable.

I tell you what, the more I acknowledged or encouraged someone else, the easier it was.  Then I realized that giving accolades away, in no way took away from my own [self], but more so confirmed that we all need each other in this world.  We need to be needed and we need to acknowledge the gifts of those around us.

In the end, we are all in this thing called life together.  We are interdependent. All part of a thing greater than ourselves.  When we recognize that fact, it comforts our souls in a way that eludes words. It invokes in us a feeling of oneness - among humanity, all around the world, regardless of race, religion, sex, etc.  We were made to harmonize one to another as a gift to our fellow life-travelers.

~1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 New Life Version (NLV)
He died for us so that, dead or alive, we will be with Him. So comfort each other and make each other strong as you are already doing.