Perhaps I AM a words of affirmation kind of girl. In reality, I think every girl desires to be loved with every love language, but I am just now discovering how much I love words.
An old friend called me a "jewel" this weekend. It was nice. It was reassuring. It was a big ol' boost to my confidence!
I can't help but think about what I was doing a year ago today. I was coasting into a beautiful summer in Durban, daily losing power over the hectic evening thunderstorms, and the government mandated neighborhood power cuts. I was learning how to teach English to French speaking Central African refugees during the week and learning how to surf on weekends. I was spending my days with an eclectic mix of fellow students, and my evenings with the most incredible Church family I have ever been a part of.
I still remember my last night in Durban. After laughing like crazy over cookies and pterodactyls at Pippa's, we headed to Spiga's for some late night dinner... and laughed some more. When it came time to say goodbye, I was given a multitude of hugs and even a few gifts. But, the waterworks didn't start until a dear friend of mine hugged me forever and said, "You are a precious legend." (For the record, it took over a year to reach "legend" status amongst my Americanized South African friends, and only a month and a half for those who didn't fly the coop... what's up with that!?).
Anyway, the point is as follows: Girls like to be affirmed. It doesn't matter if it is a romantic situation or not! They like to be told nice things and cared about through words.
That's all. Just another realization I had this past weekend.
Its true what you say.
ReplyDeleteWhats crazy is the things people [girls] will do to get that affirmation if it isnt readily lavished on them.
You're one of the lucky ones, plenty girls for whatever reason never get that afirmation.
There are indeed those girls who enjoy fishing for compliments. I was one of them for the first 2/3 of my life.
ReplyDeleteIf others would readily encourage and affirm such girls, I think the manipulation would cease... if not dramatically slow down.
It's an issue of the heart, and the need for girls to feel loved and cared for. Getting compliments and affirmations can actually be quite a humbling experience for the receiver when the words are given freely from the heart of the giver.