PositivelyNellie

Feeling Valued

Isn’t it nice to feel valued? There’s nothing better than feeling important and needed as a mother, a wife, a friend, or an employee. It’s always good to feel like others value you….that someone thinks highly of you as a person.

I know when my boss says “Good job!” that really makes me feel valuable. Or when I can do something nice for someone, it makes me feel happy inside. Sometimes it can be as simple as a hug from my kids that makes me feel valued as a mom.

But there may be times in your life when you don’t feel valued. Maybe you feel like no one cares or no one takes time to acknowledge the things you do. Or perhaps you don’t feel as popular as your friends or co-workers and you’re second-guessing your true value to others. These things can really get a person down.

I recall an analogy I heard from Joel Osteen on one of his TV ministries. It was a time when I was feeling really down. Joel Osteen is great at motivating people. If you haven’t heard him already, you should read one of his books or catch one of his sermons on TV. I've changed the story a little, but the meaning is still the same.

Here are some rare coins. They’re appraised to be worth thousands of dollars. Would you like these rare coins?

Suppose they accidentally fell in the trash can and got all dirty. Would you still want these rare coins? If you’re like me, I would dig them out!

What if I take the rare coins and coat them with mud to the point they are really dirty and you can barely recognize them. Do you still want the rare coins? I don’t know about you, but I would still take them!

That’s because no matter how worn the coins may get, they don’t lose their value. They are still worth the same amount no matter what.

This is how we are as people.

God values you no matter what you have been through. No matter how you look or feel, no matter how broken down or rejected you may get, you still have the same value in God’s eyes. He values each one of us like a rare treasure.

So the next time you feel broken, think about these rare coins. You may just need to dust yourself off and find a way to add value to your life. Try something new. Go visit a friend. Do whatever it takes to restore your soul.

But remember…God values you the same today as he did yesterday, and as he will tomorrow.

How to Make Others Feel Valued

Spouses

One of the reasons marriages break up is the lack of feeling valued. How many times have you been in a restaurant or store and heard couples talking disrespectful to each other? What happened to the affectionate words that were so easy to express when you first met? Throughout a marriage, many couples stop talking affectionately to each other and start acting more like siblings. It becomes easy to take a spouse for granted. Couples need to make a point to give each other a daily appreciation of some kind. This will truly help each other feel more valued.

What other things can you do as a spouse to add value to your relationship?

Really listening to what the other is saying
Taking time out to do things together
Showing your affection
Saying Thank You

Employers

A happy employee makes a good employee! Employees can tell when they are truly valued by their boss. The best way to know if your employees are happy is to ask them. Get feedback. Make it a habit to have employees complete an anonymous survey at least yearly. Ask candid questions. Then openly discuss the results with your employees. As a boss, show your commitment to making improvements where needed. It’s easier to re-emphasize your expectations of them if you are willing to compromise as well. Good communication is key to showing employees they are valued.

Other ways to express value to employees:

Showing respect
Rewarding employees for a good job
Treating all employees fairly
Including your employees on what’s going on in the company
Showing concern for your employees especially in time of need

“To feel valued, to know, even if only once in awhile, that you can do a job well is an absolutely marvelous feeling.” Barbara Walters

Friends

Like the old James Taylor song, You’ve Got a Friend, the words are so simple but so meaningful. How would you define a friend? I think a true friendship is felt by the heart and not necessarily defined by words. A good friend can add a tremendous amount of value to oneself. And, a friendship cannot be neglected. It requires support from both parties. Maybe these traits will help express a true friendship: