InspirEmail

InspirEmail No 259 - June 10th, 2013 - Needing approval more than advice
'Inspirational messages to refresh the spirit and boost the emotional bank account'

Needing approval more than advice

No matter what Gary did, it was never enough to please his father. When he got seven A's and three B's, his dad asked about the B's. When he described the wonderful girl he'd fallen in love with, he got a lecture cautioning that she may be different than he thought.

Gary's dad was stunned and hurt when Gary took a job in another town. He tried to talk him out of it, explaining the advantages of being close to the family and the pitfalls of moving.

Finally, Gary exploded, 'Dad, I'm moving to get away from you! I love you, but I can't stand the way you tear down everything I do.'

He braced himself for a counterattack, but for the first time in his life he saw his dad's mask of confidence dissolve into vulnerability.

With tears in his eyes, his dad stammered, 'All I ever wanted was to make you better and help you reach your potential and avoid risks. It's what I do. It's why my business is so successful. Do you want me to ignore my experience and just be a cheerleader?'

'Dad, our relationship isn't about productivity,' Gary explained.

'You're my dad. Sometimes I need praise more than a push and approval more than advice. Constantly trying to make me better just makes me feel worse. It's not enough that you love me. I need you to appreciate me.'

That's an important lesson. In personal relationships, there may be benefits to the relentless pursuit of better, but the cost may be too high.

Written by Michael Josephson

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Believe in your heart

Believe in your heart that something wonderful is about to happen and love your life.
Believe in your own powers and your own potential and in your own innate goodness.
Wake every morning with the awe of just being alive.
Discover each day the magnificent awesome beauty in the world.
Explore and embrace life in yourself and in everyone you see each day.
Reach within to find your own specialness.
Amaze yourself and rouse those around you to the potential of each new day.
Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect, as this is the essence of your humanity.
Let those who love you help you and trust enough to be able to take and receive.
Look with hope to the horizon of today for today is all we truly have, so live this day well.
Let a little sun out as well as in and create your own rainbows.
Be open to all your possibilities and always believe in miracles.

Author Unknown

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There are two lasting bequests we can give our children - one is roots, the other is wings
Hodding Carter

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A monthly positive inspirational story and quote to refresh your spirit and boost the emotional bank account. InspirEmail was first published in November 2005 and each issue can be viewed in the Archived InspirEmail Directory located below the latest issue of InspirEmail


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