The Value of a Compliment

I was recently thinking of the value of a compliment. Do we enjoy compliments because we are all narcissistic people with an immense compulsion to make everything all about number one? Maybe. Or is it that we are so insecure about our own abilities and self-worth that we must hear constant validation through the people around us? Sometimes. Or is it a means of creating connections through the realization that we share a similar taste for shoes or sports with someone else? Perhaps. The enjoyement we gain from a simple compliment may be for none of these reasons or it may be all of these reasons. Regardless of which reason in particular we enjoy hearing a bit of praise now and then, flattery has the incredible power to transform. It can whisk a frown into a beaming smile, ease the tension out of a knotted neck, or revolutionize a grumpy mood into a cheery disposition. Moreover, praise has the amazing tendency to mulitiply. One compliment can spur on hundreds through the snowball effect--once a person has been altered by a little flattery, it is more likely he or she will pass it on than to simply forget the gesture--or the repetition technique--once they speak a bit of praise, it becomes easier and easier to repeat the process. Thus, one tiny acclaim can effect a whole sphere of people. Besides, wouldn't it be nicer to live on a planet where people were positive and appreciative amid all the insanity of this world? I think so.

There IS such a thing as a stupid question...

After teaching for five years, I have discovered there is such a thing as a stupid question. As a student whom the yearbook decreed was known for saying, "I have a question" frequently in high school, I am all for curiosity and learning. It is within our human nature to yearn for knowledge. We see it in our desire to be "in the know" and when we can't resist a good piece of juicy gossip. However, as much as I encourage my young charges to explore and discover, I draw the line at stupid questions. Ridiculous, silly, or insignificant ones are fine, but downright dumb inqueries are not to be tolerated. One might wonder, "What is the definition of a stupid question?" And if you are one of those that want to avoid falling into the trap of asking these tedious queries, here it is: A stupid question is one that is so obvious that the inquirer can't be termed anything other than downright dense. You may be asking yourself, with alarm, what I mean exactly. Here are a few examples. If a person has just given you a set of directions, such as what page to turn to, and then you raise your hand, with complete innocence and wide-eyed wonderment, and ask, "What page?" that is a completely stupid question. If an individual performs the same task every day, such as using pen for every assignment, and then they turn around, in complete seriousness, and inquire, "Can I use a pencil?" that is a totally dumb question. If a person has the information right smack in front of their face, but hasn't taken the time or energy to look around, and asks with an air of earnestness, "What am I supposed to do?" then that is an absolutely and unconditionally stupid question. Please do yourself and everyone around you a favor, and take a moment or two before turning to the person next to you, and ask yourself, "Wait a minute, is this a stupid question?"

Purpose

Hi. I started this blog with the objective of putting my meditative musings in space and out of my head. They are just flights of fancy and nothing more. Little thoughts that I recognize may or may not have any value except that they came out of the swirling sea of ideas that is the chaos of my brain and therefore, should have just a fleeting chance of seeing some potential before they scurry back into oblivion. Enjoy!