Praise and Empowerment
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Introduction:
Welcome to Awareness for Everyone, an exploration of Conscious Reality Creation, and living the best lives we can for ourselves. I am MJ Blehart, writer, blogger, editor, and 21st century philosopher. This is episode 41 – Praise and empowerment.
Everybody likes to receive praise but may not know empowering it can be
When you do a thing, and you do it well, receiving praise for it feels amazing. It is incredibly empowering, and it serves as an affirmation of the choices you make along the way.
For whatever reason, though, modern society eschews praise. There’s an almost surreal talent for criticism – but when it comes to praise, people seem to display something of an aversion to it.
I suspect that one of the reasons for this is because there is a backlash borne of false praise. When you over-emphasize the celebration of mediocrity and heap praise for simple participation, you disempower in the interest of inclusion. You praise all, or you praise none.
The dangers of praising mediocrity are not something to be neglected. It’s one thing to be encouraging, and quite another to praise for being simply mediocre.
Praise raises frequencies
Everything in the universe is based in energy. All energy has a frequency. Low frequencies are made of low feelings and low energy. High frequencies are made of high feelings and high energy. The low makes you feel bad, the high makes you feel good.
This is why praise matters. A lot of work environments people experience involve trying to avoid criticism and disapproval, thus cultivating low vibrations and frequencies. Avoiding getting judged by your boss and coworkers is not empowering, and doesn’t feel good.
When you work in an environment where praise is given for jobs well done, achievements that are made, and good performance, you are empowered. This type of environment cultivates high vibration and frequencies. Working for reward is empowering, and feels good.
Recognize false praise and constructive criticism.
Two words of caution
First – false praise. Praising for mediocrity can be as disempowering as criticism. Wow, you got out of bed this morning – good for you! is rather mocking. This is where you lose the power praise can generate. Praise can still be for simple things, such as you look good today or I like that shirt on you or you are raising incredible kids. Just be mindful of praising to empower versus praising simply to be inclusive.
The Trump administration and far too many members of Congress are perfect examples of false praise, and the elevation of mediocracy over meritocracy.
Second – constructive criticism. This is a real thing, and can actually be empowering. Criticism feels bad. That pie you baked wasn’t very good makes you feel lousy. Thank you for baking that pie. Could I offer some flavoring suggestions? might still be awkward, but opens the door to dialogue rather than judgment.
There are times people need help to improve in some way or another. You can show them the door and the path, but only they can choose what to do from there.
Closing:
Thank you for listening to Awareness for Everyone, a discussion of Conscious Reality Creation and living the best lives we can for ourselves. I want to thank Fe Mahoney, the artist who created my great cover art. If you would like to commission work from her, contact her at veinsofink2017@gmail.com. If you have questions or comments you can contact me via Facebook at blehartmj, on Twitter at mjblehart, or e mail me at author@mjblehart.com. Please take a moment to check out my blog, The Ramblings of the Titanium Don, at titaniumdon.com, as well as my articles on Medium.com as MJ Blehart. Thank you, and I hope you are discovering how mindful awareness is something everyone can practice to improve your life.
