Doesn’t it feel good to have your accomplishments rewarded? Isn’t it great to win an award or receive recognition for a job well-done? Even if you’re shy, isn’t it nice to sometimes get the round of applause?
Ceremonies are a tool we use recognize that someone has done (or is doing) something great. Whether you are given a certificate at the office over coffee and donuts or you are knighted by the Queen of England, the goal is the same: recognition.
We all need a certain amount of attention, it’s human nature. The more we receive, the more confident and powerful we feel. Whether the attention comes from good sources or bad ones, the effect is still a giant boost. So we want to shower attention on those who are important to us. And we want to shower attention on ourselves.
A ceremony is simply a formal way of recognizing or rewarding others. It doesn’t have to follow a specific protocol, but there are a few key pieces that must be present if you want the full effect:
- the reward must actually have value in the eyes of the recipient
- the ceremony must be visible to a reasonably large audience
The first requirement, value, is often misunderstood. I’m not talking about giving someone a trip to Tahiti because they presented their report with class. What I mean is it must be a reward at a deep level to the person. If a person likes the limelight, a handshake from the boss, a round of applause in front of everyone, and a certificate to put on the wall will have great value. If they prefer to keep a low profile, however, a functional gift such as a picture frame might be more appreciated. Make it personal and you key in on the most valued asset a person has: self.
The second requirement, visibility, isn’t about the person receiving the recognition, at least not directly. Here the point is to demonstrate to as many as possible the kinds of efforts that are rewarded. If no one knows what gets rewarded, no one knows how to behave or what to achieve. Make sure everyone is aware.
Whether someone is paraded in front of a crowd or simply given a personal gift, they become stronger when they are ceremoniously recognized. Be open to it when it comes your way. And dish it out to others as much as possible. Give your kids or your friends (or both!) a cheer now and then!
In the news
- It might not be the best option: Survey shows contraception myths
- … and it may cause you to pick a dud: Pill use ‘affects partner choice’
- … but at least you’ll live longer: Pill ‘has stopped 100,000 deaths’
Quote for the week
Every ceremony or rite has a value if it is performed without alteration. A ceremony is a book in which a great deal is written. Anyone who understands can read it. One rite often contains more than a hundred books. – G. I. Gurdjieff
Healthy thoughts,
Jeff
