Recently I read a (true) story about a man who "could not compliment anyone on what he was supposed to be doing anyway." It struck me as very sad. Sad for those worked with the man and sad for the man himself. It seemed a very narrow and unproductive, not to mention unloving, way to live.
I was reminded of an acquaintance who lives in much the same way. Kind words are as foreign to him as Russian or Chinese. His life reflects that as his family pulls further and further away from him. Obligations are met, but love is conspicuously absent.
Fortunately this man is the exception in my circle of friends and acquaintances. There are those who speak kind words because they are kind, who care because they are caring, who love because they are loving.
So, for today, I am grateful for kind words and those who speak them.
Kind words of gratitude are a balm of healing. The lack of them is a slow cancer. I have not seen a middle ground on this one.
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