Everyone, no matter what profession, age, or sex cares to a certain extent what they look like. This is human nature and something worth validating. Whether it’s as simple as a shirt, a pair of shoes or even a new hair cut people appreciate knowing some one noticed them. The next time you see some one you know, and you see something that they’ve done makes them look nice or unique, give a compliment. After all, we have a lot of time and money invested in the way we look, it’s nice to know the investment’s paying off.

Everything you do and say effects those around you.  Will you use your powers for good… or evil.  Think about it.

Last Sunday, one of our men walked up to one of the women in our church and in front of me and a few other people including her grown son and his family, he said he had run into someone recently that was an old schoolmate of hers, and he wanted her to know what the schoolmate said about her.

He went on to tell her that her former schoolmate had said she was a remarkable woman. He had been observing her life for many years and said he was particular taken by the love and care she gave to her family and to her dying husband when she was caring for him.

As he continued to tell us all what this man had said about my friend, she teared up and was touched to know the impact she had made on someone she didn’t even know was watching her life.

She is a remarkable woman. The man who validated her didn’t know about the validation experiment, he just wanted to tell her what an awesome example she had set as she quietly lived her life.

Yup…I’m loving this validation stuff!

The Validation Experiment has made me so much more aware of the impact that a kind word makes on my life and that of others. Aware is the key word here. Of course I knew that encouragement and kindness helped, but I was taking it for granted that others knew how I felt. But thanks to the Validation Experiment, I am not taking it for granted anymore.

My progress has been in leaps and lapses but I am progressing and making validation an integral part of my life.

THANK YOU, ERIC AND TINA!!

Well, finally a few minutes to post one of my validation experiments. The other day I was grocery shopping and stopped at the deli. Although there were 4 clerks there, apparently only one was waiting on customers while the others busily ignored all 10 customers waiting for their number to be called. The one who was waiting on people, just kept plugging away, calling a number, filling an order, calling the next number. I noticed her glance a couple of times at the other clerks in what appeared to me to be a way that said, “Gosh, is anyone going to help me out here?” But she barely skipped a beat and moved the 9 people in front of me through their purchases with ease.

Then it was my turn. I ordered my first item, cut extra thin–and felt a tinge of guilt doing that with another 5 or 6 people now queued up behind me. My second order was also, special cut…as was my third.

What was amazing to me was that she never flinched or showed any frustration the whole time she was waiting on me (or the others in front of me). So, when I had my last package of cheese and was able to tell her that was it for me, I added this: “Except to say how exceptional you are at what you do. It has been very busy, but you have waited on each customer as though they were the only concern you had. I feel very cared for, and I just wanted you to know you are doing an awesome job.”

She smiled and said, “Wow! You just made me smile! Thanks.”

It was incredible.

My son is 6 years old and not serious about anything! Life is about having fun only. Well if you have ever taught young children in church, you know that there is a very thin line between having fun and having the children actually hear and learn a lesson. Well, before bed the other night (he had just come home from a church activity) my son asked if we could pray for his sins! So, of course we did. I called the teacher from that night to tell her that whatever she taught that night must have made an impression on him and told her what he had said. She informed me that her lesson was about praying.  I made sure to tell her that the work she was doing for the kids was not falling on deaf ears and was in fact worth the time and effort and was valid.

Try this quiz:

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is that none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel, appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier?

The people who have made a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They’re the ones that care. Now take a second look at that second part of the quiz. Reach out to those people and validate them before it’s too late!

Well here’s a switch. I am the one taking The Validation Experiment™ 30 Day Challenge and someone else took the time and effort to show me and one of my sons kindness.

We were at Wal-Mart picking up a few things and decided to add a couple sodas and a candy bar. As we were checking out my son looked at the lady behind us and greeted her with a polite hello and a smile. She returned the greeting with a warm smile and some chit chat. As a side note, wasn’t I the proud mother to have raised such a handsome, polite, and sociable teenager! They can be hard to come by these days. While we were checking out I realized I didn’t have enough money with me. The treats would have to be put back on the shelf. Bummer.

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In the middle of an ordinary everyday moment, sitting in the living room putting on my boots, I glanced across the room at one of the game system consoles that the kids use. There were no controllers plugged into it, and staring straight back at me were 4 oversized circular ports where each controller plugs in. They have a “D” shape to them as you can see in the picture, and they are very rugged and simplistic. What’s interesting is that not only does the “D” shape prevent plugging the controller in wrong, the circular design also protects the pins in the controller plug from being bent or broken. Twist it any way you want, and press as hard as you want, but until the “D” shape is lined up, nothing gets plugged in and nothing gets damaged.

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