Lessons From the Edge

Words of affirmation are directly proportional to one's ability to complete a task.

We're taking a field trip next week. Going to a local park for a picnic lunch and an enjoyable afternoon. It's going to be a blast!
So Wednesday I invited residents to come to the Activity Room to decorate picture frames which will part of a memento of our picnic. I bought acrylic picture frames and stickers - with the intention that residents would decorate the outer edge of the frame, and I would take their picture at the picnic and put it into their frame for them to keep.
To me, it seemed like a simple craft which would make a nice keep-sake.

However, several of the residents who came to decorate a picture frame lacked confidence. I had made a sample, and done other preparations which I thought would make the process simple. Even so, I heard lots of comments like, "I've never done this before," "I'm no good at decorating picture frames," and "Mine won't look good."
So as I walked around the table offering help, I made sure to tell everyone what a great job they were doing. I might have gone a little over-board on some of the praises. *ahem*
But as I said the words, I noticed something.
*Their smiles got a little bigger.
*Their posture got a little straighter.
*The frames got a little prettier.
*And everyone completed their project. Even the ones who said they were 'no good' at decorating picture frames.

My heart was delighted to see how proud everyone was of their creation. I was happy that they'd all stuck with the project, even though at the onset they weren't sure they could do it. And I was thankful for the lesson I learned: Words of affirmation are directly proportional to one's ability to complete a task.

Who needs the encouragement of your words of affirmation today?