I'm sitting at the desk, with this blogger open, hoping to get inspiration on what to write. I'm not a naturally gifted writer and have never professed to be. I can't imagine how those who do feel when they get writers block.
I have for awhile now been wanting to write something about affirmation. What it is, how it defines peoples lives, etc... I haven't done enough studying or research on it to be an expert, but I'll just write a bit about it now for future reference.
Some of the definitions of affirmation I found were:
to state or assert positively; maintain as true
to confirm
to express agreement with.
approve
endorse
What does affirmation mean to me:
Putting your seal of approval on someone or something
Upholding a decision with out backing out
To make someone feel better about them self and give them confidence in their talents or decisions
I am a singer. I love to sing! I have had professional training now and then and have even taken college courses to improve this skill. There have been times where I have felt very unaffirmed in this talent. I had someone sit me down in their dining room once, this person was a worship leader at my church, and tell me that my voice wasn't even that good. I did not feel affirmed, or confident in my talent after that. I went to college, majoring in music, downtrodden, timid, not confident in my abilities after that. It wasn't until I had a professor tell me I was a good singer that I felt better about it again. After that I became more confident, unashamed of my voice.
I think there is something to be said about affirmation.
Definition of confidence:
full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing
I think my lack of confidence sometimes comes from a lack of affirmation from those who ive let speak into my life because I have trusted them. I remember wanting something so bad, I had been to school for it, proved my loyalty by serving in whatever capacity necessary and I had the desire and drive, but I was told I wasn't as qualified as they wanted and were going to outsource the position. Mind you, I was even willing to not get paid and just volunteer. I felt deflated. Why do I even bother? After awhile I became very jaded, and I guess I still am. The decision made also had to do with how well I communicated or how I came off to people. This has seriously been the bane of my existence, honesty, excellence, standards.
When I was given the chance, finally, I was always reminded, your not as skilled, talented, able. What a way to boost my moral! I'm not denying that their haven't been times where I have been affirmed, but I think sometimes the negatives out way the positives, especially when its coming from someone your suppose to trust.
I remember watching a video of a speaker who said, "I wouldn't be here if, so and so, hadn't put this mic in my hand , trusted me to make mistakes but learn from them and do better the next time." His position wasn't extracted because he might have been a little too harsh one time, or wasn't very personable at others. He was affirmed, I think he even used that word in his talk, time and time again despite his mistakes. He is a confident and successful person today because of that.
God uses us to be his hands, feet, mouth. If we are expecting to accomplish everything on our own, without the help of others with their frailties and all, then we won't get very far.
More to come...
