Relationship Builder

Speak Your Mind

Posted Tuesday, October 30th, 2007 and visited 290 times, 1 so far today
by revka

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Now I’m not talking about giving someone a piece of your mind, although I am willing to bet that is probably what popped into your mind when you read the title. As Pastor Dwight Williams said, “People often want to give others a piece of their mind. A lot of us have given away too many pieces already and need to keep what we have left!”

I’m talking about expressing your appreciation. No one can read your mind. Your friends can’t, your children can’t, and you already know your spouse can’t! *smile* I know that we are often more eager to let someone know when something is bothering us, but if that is all we ever do, how will that person know how much we really appreciate what they do?

“Thank you for a delicious meal, Honey.”

“Thanks for taking out the garbage, Dear. I love that you take care of that chore for me.”

“You’re a great big sister. Thank you for watching out for your younger sisters.”

“Thank you for being such a good friend. I know that I can count on you, even when things are rough.”

Statements such as these don’t take too much effort on our part (I know some people have a hard time saying things like this), but they often pay big dividends in our relationships. After all, to build a good relationship, you should make several positive statements for each negative one.

Here’s to speaking our minds more freely - expressing to those around us our thankfulness and appreciation for the role they play in our lives.


A happily married mother to three girls, Revka enjoys the exchange of ideas found through the medium of blogging. Her blogs include The Porch Light, Rants, Raves, and Rejects, and RS Designs.
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3 Responses to “Speak Your Mind”

  1. MyAvatars 0.2 BrittneyLeigh Says:
    October 30th, 2007 at 12:35 pm Subscribed to Comments

    Wow, this is excellent. I appreciate this challenge a lot… We shouldn’t limit our “giving a piece of our mind” to just the negatives. Our friends, our family, our relationships… they all need to know that we do love and appreciate them.

  2. MyAvatars 0.2 Revka Says:
    October 30th, 2007 at 2:16 pm Subscribed to Comments

    Hi, Brittany! I’m glad you like this challenge.

    I know I need to work on this myself. I don’t understand why I find it easier to complain than to express my appreciation.

    At least now I know I’ve got company in my need to respond to this challenge. Thanks!

  3. MyAvatars 0.2 MInTheGap Says:
    November 6th, 2007 at 1:51 pm

    I noticed this truth the opposite way. I’ve through that I’d like to hear more of an appreciation for the things that I do, but then I listened to myself and found that I wasn’t saying thanks enough myself.

    Great post, and a great topic.

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