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Raw talent
Runs through walls
Climbs tall mountains

Almost a year ago I sat in an evaluation with a supervisor and these were the three positives he named about me. I think about them every-now-and-again. Sometimes I wonder what they mean. Why these three things? Are they positives?

These are the things that run through my mind when someone says something about me. Does it matter in the long run? Probably not so much. But I always find it interesting to know what other people think about me, even though I don't place a lot of weight on it.

Recently I came into contact with someone after quite a long time of not talking to them. This person said some things about me that I honestly never saw in myself at that age. They also reminded me of some things and I had to giggle at my sheer immaturity about life. I also know there were some things I said that would not make me giggle today.

Life is a tough teacher. The toughest teacher I know. But I also know that from it are gained the most valuable lectures. Our interactions with people become our testing ground to see if we have learned the lesson, and if so how well.

Communication thus becomes the key to our knowledge and understanding. If you don't ever tell someone they have offended or hurt you, most likely they will never know and life goes on for them; and all-the-while you are holding hurt and anger inside. If you don't ever tell someone how much you appreciate them, likewise they will never know. If you don't ever tell someone they are admired, they may live their life never knowing and wondering.

Are we quick to give praise and compliments? Or are we quicker to give criticism because it's easier to find fault? Abraham Lincoln once said that if you are looking for failure in a person, you will surely find it. Why do we look for failure and not for success in people? Why don't we give more positive reinforcement?

In the last few years of my life I have worked at being more expressive to the people around me. I am sure I have been found in the category of not expressing myself and/or finding fault in others. However, changing my focus has made me a better and a happier person. People deserve to know they are loved and appreciated.

Thus, as I stated before, "Communication is the key to our knowledge and understanding."