A Case for Praise
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 07/30/2009 at 2:54 PM
I've been somewhat baffled by the responses to my two posts about Zac Sunderland. This young man has clearly done something notable, but everyone seems unwilling to offer praise. Similarly, cynicism came out in response to Matt's post: Tim Tebow, Virgin.
Some of the reasons people have stated for not praising are: We don't know his motives. He may be finding his worth in performance (which ironically is assigning him a motive). As Christians we shouldn't be applauding this sort of feat, only accomplishments with overt spiritual value. We shouldn't be admiring a person, only God. Some people who accomplish great things go on to be failures spiritually, therefore we shouldn't praise them. Accomplishment does not equal value.
I'm going to be honest here. I found these arguments discouraging and even, at times, unbecoming to believers. As Christians we should be quick to praise. We should generously praise the work of others that is good, wholesome and praiseworthy without being so concerned about whether the person is wholly deserving. Our praise does not have to be some kind of blanket sanction of a person's character or life, but we should be willing to give praise where praise is due.
Ed taught me this.
Ed Covall was the worship leader at a Christian camp I attended as a teen. He would encourage us to praise those around us when we saw them doing good. He used to say: "Let your praise come from another man's lips." In other words, praise is good; just don't praise yourself. He took this from Proverbs 27:2 which says: "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips."
It's true that what we consider praiseworthy may be subjective, but many actions and feats demonstrate clear biblical principles. Zac setting out to tackle a difficult task and seeing it through to completion is an example of a good work ethic, which is lauded repeatedly in Scripture. I'd like to encourage believers to be more generous with their praise. Occasionally our praise may be misplaced, but the majority of the time it will provide the godly affirmation mentioned in Hebrews 10:24: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
Why be stingy with praise when it holds so much power?
1. Christina said the following at 3:34 PM on Jul 30:
Good question. Especially when we're so willing to dole out criticism with no concern for reasoning.
2. Aurora said the following at 3:35 PM on Jul 30:
Suzanne, I didn't comment on either of the posts but I did think thoughts similar to those that were posted by others. What is troubling for me is that, as Christians, we are so quick to lavish praise on Believers doing wonderful things that the person doing them can't keep up with how high we put them. Then, sadly, if the person we've elevated can't keep up with that level of praise and they fall or fail, everyone around them is disappointed, including the Christian fans. A certain California beauty queen and a large family in the East come to mind. I think it's great that these two young men have done the things they have done. They are doing what we challenge men to do -- do hard things. Sailing around the world, protecting your purity are hard things to do in today's culture. I guess I just wish we didn't have to turn them into Christian Celebrities, that they would be able to enjoy the praise and support from their own close communities. And if for some reason, they aren't able to maintain their commitments to these hard things, there's not so far for everyone to fall. I realize this may sound a bit cynical...
3. Paxton said the following at 3:57 PM on Jul 30:
It's very true that if you want to really be radically honest, you should say every good word you can think of!
In the Tim Tebow comments I praised God for Tim's commitment to chastity...but not any more for a celebrity than I'd have done for someone that nobody knows.
That's kind of awesome what Zac did, and I need to do some introspection to figure out where my cynicism is coming from! (Though I didn't see the past two articles so I'm not sure how I'd have responded, I suspect it would be been with some kind of snarky comment).
That being said, Suzanne, can you find anything to praise in the unpraising comments of the commenters? =)
4. BDB said the following at 3:58 PM on Jul 30:
OK, since I'm one of the few people who commented, I should mention that I saw an interview with him here in L.A. He did not come off as the responsible young person suggested by comparing him to America's Founding Fathers. He came off as a kid loving the attention and whose goal was to become an adrenaline junkie.
His next stated goal was to climb Mt. Everest. Yes, the ascent of Everest is difficult and people die every year. It's also highly commercialized to make it easier for wealthy Westerners to get their adrenaline fix. They leave an awful lot of trash on the mountain.
If Zac wants to be an adventurer like Steve Fosset that's great. But unlike Fosset, Zac indicated in his interview that he was blowing off college for now. That's a red flag that his goal is to play around rather than do hard things and grow up faster.
I think we could also praise Angelina Jolie for being willing to go into a war zone (Iraq) as a UN ambassador for children. That's definitely a hard thing with a fair amount of risk to her personal safety - a risk a wealthy woman doesn't need to take. However, there are other choices she has made that probably would disqualify her for praise on Boundless.
A few months ago we were singing Carrie Prejean's praises. That generated some criticism in the comments, too. I think her 15 minutes of fame are just about up.
5. Elizabeth said the following at 4:14 PM on Jul 30:
I agree! I have trouble being positive and not criticizing or being cynical. BUT I have decided this week that I need to take the challenge to sing psalms and praises to God, be thankful and hold my tongue when wanting to be negative. It is not easy!!! I am taking the challenge by God's power!
6. Joel said the following at 4:15 PM on Jul 30:
If I had to guess, I would say the lack of praise and general downplaying of extraordinary feats is due primarily to envy, cleverly disguised by the reasons mentioned. Whether something has overt spiritual value or not, to praise it means to declare it to be virtuous in some way or another, and if one's own life does not contain examples of virtue in equal quantity or magnitude, then praise can seem tantamount to admitting a personal lack of virtue. It is not, strictly speaking, but it does invite the comparison. Reflecting on how impressive sailing solo around the entire world at 17 is makes being 28 and driving a desk 40 hours a week, sitting in traffic for 4 more, and watching movies on the weekend seem that much more unimpressive. What praising Zac Sunderland should do is make you say "He did a hard thing. I want to go out and push myself like that."
7. countryboy said the following at 4:36 PM on Jul 30:
"Most dreams die a slow death. They're conceived in a moment of passion, with the prospect of endless possibility, but often languish and are not pursued with the same heartfelt intensity as when first born. Slowly, subtly, a dream becomes elusive and ephemeral. People who've let their own dreams die become pessimists and cynics. They feel that the time and devotion spent on chasing their dreams were wasted. The emotional scars last forever. 'It can't be done,' they'll say, when you describe your dream. 'It'll never happen.'" ~Dean Karnazes "Ultramarathon Man"
I truly believe that pessimism and cynicism are probably by far two of the most destructive forces of humanity. They only serve to bring others down to their level because they themselves could not obtain what others try to only because of their own failure. Those two youth are living their dreams to the fullest and should be applauded for the accomplishments.
8. brx said the following at 5:06 PM on Jul 30:
You're right Suzanne, Zac did accomplish a pretty amazing adventure. And, I would cetainly would have had fun doing it!
Having a heart for students & constructive community, I tend to look for slightly different examples to lift up to them. I prefer to encourage them in visions that more directly involve teamwork, duty, community, and an eternal perspective.
It may be because of some life-wrecks I've seen happen with some friends over recent years; and so I confess, my tendency was to view Zac's acomplishment as mostly personal fun or a desire for self-glorification. In which case, it seemd like too big a deal was being made of it. If I were sitting at a table with him, of course I'd like to hear about the details of his adventure! Then I'd probably congratulate him and ask "hey, do you think you might like to lead or participate in a team adventure next time?"
The other day I saw a gal with the bumper sticker "well-behaved women rarely make history" and I sighed "yes, but making history is not as great as producing lasting good."
Grace, peace & adventure on The Way :)
9. Cassandra said the following at 5:29 PM on Jul 30:
I didn't comment on the previous posts either. I think the rah-rah masculinity/adventure trend is great and I fully support it! But I don't really see the spirituality of sailing around the world, unless you're working as a missionary to the people you encounter or delivering medical supplies, etc. As BDB pointed out, maybe the most radical thing for him to do right now would be to stay in school, go to college, don't do drugs, go to church, love his family, etc.
Not meaning to hate on this guy at all...just looking at it from another perspective. I dated a guy who was stuck on circumnavigating the globe. Granted, he was of marriageable age, not 17, but I began to realize that my view of marriage and children wasn't going to fit in with his adventurous view of circumnavigating the globe.
I totally love the Harris' Do Hard Things philosophy and their breaking down the whole kidult phenomenon. But perhaps Sunderland is actually prolonging his adolescence by being Mr. Adventure instead of going to college?
Hard Things:
Going to class when you don't feel like it
Getting good grades
Getting into a good college
Avoiding peer pressure
Avoiding sexual temptation and drugs and the party scene
Being a good son and brother
Staying Christian in college
etc. etc.
10. Peter said the following at 5:45 PM on Jul 30:
Whatever happened too giving honour where honour is due... including to people who do honourable things?
What ever happened to speaking the truth about those who do exceptional things?
Refusing to acknowledge when people perform excellently, discourages such performance in others. Does the Bible never speak of heroes, ,, people who do great things?
If we do not hold up godly men and women who do great things, then our children will admire the "heroes" that the world presents..... and that would not be good.
Peter
11. Katie M. said the following at 6:04 PM on Jul 30:
Thanks, Suzanne! This is refreshing. Brings to mind Phil. 4:8. Kudos to Mr. Tebow and Mr. Sunderland for their discipline and courage. Joel and countryboy, your comments strike me as pretty insightful as well.
12. Amy said the following at 8:14 PM on Jul 30:
I teach at a Christian school, and I subscribe to a kid-friendly Christian current events newspaper for each of my students. We've been following Zac's adventures all year through this newspaper. From my perspective as a teacher, Zac has been a marvelous example of someone going for a goal and meeting it. I think he deserves to be proud of his efforts, and I will gladly sing his praises.
13. Mike said the following at 8:21 PM on Jul 30:
"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly...who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never known neither victory nor defeat." - Teddy Roosevelt
14. Dan said the following at 9:26 PM on Jul 30:
One of the most important things I've learned entering ministry and mentorship (both being mentored and being a mentor) is the importance of praise. Not only praising the people we have personal relationships with, but affirming what is good in the believers that we see through media or any other high profile venue.
It can be challenging at times to give praise- we fear praising anyone who can, and probably will, let us down. It's something that, at least for me, is very difficult. But I have found the tremendous potential that well given praise for that which is truly admirable has for encouraging growth in those around us. It's not something that comes natural, but it breathes so much more life into the relationships we have with other believers than criticizing them when they fall.
With the public figures that we praise, I believe it is incredibly important to remember that they are people too. They will fall into sin at one point or another. That doesn't mean that they were never saved in the first place, or that God has never done anything in their lives that is worthy of praise.
Maybe if we did a better job of coming alongside our brothers and sisters at their low points (see Galatians 6:2) then maybe we would be able to take more joy in their successes.
15. Shelley Y. said the following at 10:06 PM on Jul 30:
In response to #2 saying, "I guess I just wish we didn't have to turn them into Christian Celebrities, that they would be able to enjoy the praise and support from their own close communities".
The thing is, people all over the world will praise someone--so I'd rather have some "Christian celebrities" rather than say Paris Hilton being talked about. If we don't praise Christians for doing hard things, then they won't be talked about. But they should! Sure, we are all humans and all make choices in life, but I'd rather someone who says they are a Christian be vulnerable to the world.
In comment #4 it was said, "Zac indicated in his interview that he was blowing off college for now." I didn't see the interview, but it makes it sound like you are assuming all kids should go to college right after high school...or go to college at all. Now, I am an administrator at a university and I don't think all kids should have to go to college. Some do better in other life options.
Interviews can also be chopped up and not given the whole picture of what one really said. Alex & Brett Harris have interviewed him and talked about spiritual things with Zak. We don't always see the real person unless we have the right interviewees.
Anyways, I'm all for praising people. For it encourages us do continue on in this race.
16. Melisssa S. said the following at 11:21 PM on Jul 30:
I think what Zac did is amazing. He's probably got more maturity and real education than most of his peers or those many years older than him. It is not putting Zac on a pedestal to acknowledge his accomplishment and say "Good job, buddy. That was awesome!" He did something worth doing while most of the other people our culture gets excited about haven't done anything except write another stupid song or star in another stupid movie. Zac's peers spend most of their lives playing video games, drinking, and having sex with as many girls as they can. That's part of why what Zac did is so cool. It's a startling contrast to what everyone else is doing. And if Zac "falls" in the future, a lot of people will be disappointed. So, yeah, let's just lower expectations for all youth and not praise them for anything in case they get the big head. Yep.
I haven't seen Zac interviewed and don't know him or exactly what he said about "blowing off college". However, simply deciding not to attend college is not necessarily a red flag for anything. It may be a sign of better things for Zac than most of the other kids in his generation. I don't think he's afraid of hard work, either physical, mental, or emotional. If he needs to learn something or buckle down to earn a living, I think he'll do it. The kid just sailed around the world solo, for Pete's sake. Just sayin'.
17. DannieA said the following at 11:26 PM on Jul 30:
I praise people I know personally when praise is deemed to be appropriate. I don't go around praising people I don't know as I think it encourages hero worship.
I hear about Tim Lebow and Zac and think...."that's cool" and that's about it, I don't feel the need to help create a cult following as I feel it can lead to narcissism.
So for people I know...they accomplish a marathon, they do what Zac did...yes I go to them and praise them...for anonymous people to me, I don't go around dolling out exhortations.
That's me. That's also why I didn't comment on those blog posts, but decided to comment as to my opinion on this post.
It's very late and I'm rambling....good night :-)
18. Saidahwk said the following at 5:10 AM on Jul 31:
Geez. Now people are just defending their cynicism! Okay, if you don't have anything nice to say... (you know the rest). That being said; just give the kid his high five (we all know WE wouldn't have/couldn't have done it), and move on. No one said make an idol out of him. No one said endorse his life decisions. We just said, "give praise where praise is due." One day, one of you are going to find the cure for cancer, or the common cold and boundless commenters are just going to sit back and go, "eh, are we really sure his spiritual life is strong enough for us to give him credit for that...?"
19. Olivia said the following at 8:31 AM on Jul 31:
It's sad that as Christians, we don't encourage each other. Haven't we come out of the world where pessism, cynicism, and doubt reign supreme. God is calling us to "flip the switch" so to speak and use our words, which are so powerful, to speak life into our brothers and sisters.
Whatever our perceptions of other people, it is God and God alone who tries the heart. He knows if our motives are pure. If they are not, then they will be burned during judgement. We should not be looking at the speck in someone else's eyes but the plank in our own.
I think these kinds of situations bring out what is in our individual hearts. In my own opinion, these two men are living life with passion and purpose. Something many of us want to do, but often don't. Perhaps God is calling Zac Sunderland to climb Everest. For a young man, that takes discipline as did sailing...a trait that many Christians often lack.
In encouraging these two men, we encourage ourselves and like a previous post stated, make us introspectively look at our own selves. Are we striving to fulfill the purposes God has in our own lives? A question well worth the thought.
20. Eliza said the following at 8:33 AM on Jul 31:
My initial reaction to stories like that is generally: "Wow, that's amazing. My life kind of stinks in comparison."
And that's just the thing--my life DOESN'T stink at all! It's awesome! Albeit very "normal." I haven't sailed around the world or walked across the country, but that doesn't mean I haven't done "hard things." I think the danger in over-lavishing praise on visibly exotic examples of "hard things" is that it really discourages those of us whose hard things are not so obvious. Not only do we not get any praise at all from them, but, depending on how personal the "hard thing" is, we may be criticized for doing things the easy way!
So, I would just like to take a moment to give 3 cheers for all of you out there who are dealing with hard things in life with quiet vigorous effort. For all of you who are working to reconcile with estranged family members or dealing with abuse or depression or the consequences of unforeseeable circumstances, WAY TO GO!! Keep going! You can do it! You rock!
I hope someone compliments you today. You deserve it.
21. Rachel said the following at 9:04 AM on Jul 31:
Ok, I'm not going to comment one way or another on the accomplishments of the two young men mentioned.
However, I am going to agree with you, Suzanne, it is all too easy to criticize and believe the worst in people. Sometimes I feel sorry for famous people because they live in the limelight and usually its not because of the good things they accomplish. It's because we have become a culture obsessed with waiting for someone to stumble and mess up! THAT, my friends, is the root of the performance mentality...it's the internal "maybe this time they'll love me.." Our answer to that question should be the love of God, He's the One who truly answers that need in all of our lives...but often He uses us to answer the questions. So, maybe we need to learn to phrase our praise right, maybe we need to start looking deeper, being more intentional in who and how we praise one another.
Somewhere along the way, we've succombed to the idea that we must be weak and think less of ourselves and our accomplishments because it will somehow result in pride. If God has given someone the strength and ability to accomplish something, by acknowledging that accomplishment, we are also recognizing God as a Creator. Therefore, let us praise our Creator while honoring His handiwork.
False humility is a poison that has seeped into American Christianity. God has called us, as His sons and daughters, to live with confidence in who He is and who He has made us to be. Not that we walk around telling everyone how great we are but we are allowed to recognize what He has put in us...it's ok. To know who you are is to cease trying to please the rest of the world. Knowing your strengths makes you stop trying to be super man and start just being yourself... Humility is strength restrained.
All that said, God honors those who honor Him. I think it is important to look for ways to honor those He has put around us...not criticizing or competing with each other, that is false humility aka pride, insecurity. Let us encourage one another and acknowledge our Creator. And as Suzanne mentioned earlier, let our praise come from others...but walk confidently in the Way that we are called to live! Maybe if we start looking at the good things/qualities in others, less people would fail and fall off of the high pedestals that some of my brothers & sisters have alluded to with such ardent frustration. I wish I had more time...there is a lot Scripture to back this up...I just am not in a place where I can type all day.
I hope my heart is heard :-)
22. Cassandra said the following at 10:06 AM on Jul 31:
Does the Bible never speak of heroes, ,, people who do great things?
Yes, but the heroes of the Bible were all acting directly in the service of God.
I guess that's my hesitation to jump on the bandwagon here. He did a cool thing, yes, but praiseworthy from a spiritual perspective? I don't know. I'm leaning towards spiritually netural.
23. Jo said the following at 11:02 AM on Jul 31:
BDB, #4:
"Zac indicated in his interview that he was blowing off college for now. That's a red flag that his goal is to play around rather than do hard things and grow up faster."
That implies that going to college is the only way to grow up. I disagree with that. Perhaps he doesn't want to go to college, perhaps he'd rather do other things, and perhaps that's okay. I don't think it necessarily means he's only looking to have fun and mess about. But then, I didn't see the interview you talked about. I just don't think 'blowing off college' is a red flag, or an indicator of immaturity.
24. BDB said the following at 11:20 AM on Jul 31:
Shelly Y (#15) wrote:
>>Now, I am an administrator at a university and I don't think all kids should have to go to college. Some do better in other life options.<<
I knew this was going to come up.
When I saw his interview, I immediately thought of a speech I saw by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on C-SPAN (Yes, C-SPAN!). He was doing a book tour for his book, Black Profiles in Courage, which I recommend reading.
Someone asked him a question about student-athletes. There are a lot of kids whose dream is to play professional sports as a path out of poverty. College sports is often a stop along the way. Kareem pointed out that only a small percentage of college athletes make it big in the pros. He admonished them to take advantage of the fact that their playing ability got them into college - and don't waste the opportunity, but use it to prepare for life after sports, because that time will come. For those with a college scholarship, finish the degree.
While it's true that not everyone will benefit from a college education, and definitely not everyone will be good at working in an office, it remains true that people need to develop a trade beyond the skills they learn in high school.
Zac has an opportunity. He has a measure of success. If he moved now, he could probably get into any college in the country. Personally, I'm not saying he should major in anything specific - whether Accounting or Liberal Arts or Navigation at the Naval Academy. You can get a degree in basically any field - including applied fields like agriculture (which my uncle did before becoming a successful chicken-farmer.)
But don't waste the opportunity. Use the temporary fame to acquire some opportunities and skills that will endure after the fame is gone.
25. brx said the following at 12:11 PM on Jul 31:
Eliza #20 brings up some great insight;
I was thinking people in general have a tendency to elevate the more visible and public giftings above other giftings which are more prevalent and just as vital to healthy community.
I know a few receptionists who are extremely gifted, have been filling roles vital to the building and prosperity of churches and organizations, and are not at all easily replaced. Yet, they are often overlooked.
Grace & peace recognizing all gifts
26. Brian Skinn said the following at 12:24 PM on Aug 1:
I've been reading Phillipians lately, and this brought Phil. 1:15-18 to mind: "It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice."
But what does it matter? In the end, *what Christians do*, whether fitting God's good law or contrary to it, is what the world sees, and what the world receives as our message preached to it.
Even if Zac was *really* just out to puff himself up, if he publicly gave the glory to God for his achievement that's the message he preached to the world. (From the website about him: "It is a simple testament to what is important, to working towards your goals. Most of all, with perseverance and faith in God, anything is possible." A throwaway tribute? Perhaps, but it's still there...) We (as those not in a place of spiritual authority in Zac's life) should not try to judge his motives; that's God's job. Same with Tim - he deserves praise for the strong message of purity he preached to the world, even if his intent was really self-aggrandizement.
Let's keep our judgmental noses out of other people's business and focus on keeping our own lives vitally connected to and in line with God... seeking what great things He has for *us* to do!
27. BDB said the following at 9:21 PM on Aug 1:
The AP is reporting that Michelle Kwan is on the same page as I am regarding celebrities and education. Perhaps Zac can sit down with Michelle and Emma Watson and discuss the subject over a couple of...um...glasses of lemonade. Or iced tea. Or an Arnold Palmer...
28. Mike Theemling said the following at 2:43 AM on Aug 2:
From both the posts regarding Mr. Sunderland and Mr. Tebow I believe the core issue is, "What type of behaviors/lifestyles are deserving of praise, and should it be independent from their affiliation?". As others have inquired, should praise only be reserved for the extraordinary or those who accomplish milestones that most do not? Or should we pay more heed to someone's words just because he/she also happens to be both successful and a Christian?
I understand the skepticism and cynicism of those who posted. The concern is valid. If we focus too much on the accomplishment itself (e.g. sailing across the world) or pay attention to someone's words just because he or she also happens to be famous (e.g. winning a Heisman Trophy), we can send the wrong message that our signficance is based primarily upon our list of achievements. Furthermore, it's very easy to get caught up in the "...and not only that, but he's also a Believer" hype which doesn't necessitate a correlation to their success. It makes sense to consider what Warren Buffet has to say about the financial market given his tract record. And I certainly would trust Zac's Sunderland's advise if I were sailing with him. But just because he's also a Christian does that automatically make him an authority on Biblical manhood?
I'm not a big fan of the "Do Hard Things" movement mainly because it's so easy for the message to get perverted. People may reject the seemingly mundane because it doesn't appear "extreme" enough. Or they see the word "rebelution" (not a typo, their word) and try to change the world while ignoring the basics. Cassandra (#9) is right on. A lot of the "hard" things are already known to most young Believers and yet often neglected (e.g. staying sexually pure, going to class and studying hard, etc).
I'm not trying to be a sour grapes or a wet blanket here. If what Zac and Tim did can inspire a young person towards God, I applaud that. But it's not the only thing that deserves praise. The middle class father who plods off to work every morning to do his 8 hours in a cube toiling on monotonous tasks in order to provide for his family, doesn't get drunk or flirt with adultery, takes his family to church on Sunday, and teaches his kids to be God-fearing is also deserving of praise. The missionary who works with the poor in Africa deserve praise, as do the sponsors. Perhaps we should also give praise to God more often for these as well.
Jesus said that those who are "great" within the Kingdom are those with attidues of humility">http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2018:1-4;&version=31;">humility and service, not those who win Gold medals, Nobel Prizes, or become Time's Person of the Year. And I pray that Zac, Tim, and every other Believer (myself especially), takes this to heart.
29. Tami said the following at 2:25 PM on Aug 3:
Well said, Mike T.
30. Rachael said the following at 6:08 PM on Aug 3:
I don't know exactly what Zac did, though it's possible I could have glanced at or skimmed the blog posts before.
So this comment isn't about him.
Someone wrote: "I was thinking people in general have a tendency to elevate the more visible and public giftings above other giftings which are more prevalent and just as vital to healthy community. "
Yes. Perhaps I am more biased toward wanting to admire the 'invisible', though.
--------------------------------
And someone wrote: "and think...."that's cool" and that's about it, I don't feel the need to help create a cult following as I feel it can lead to narcissism.
So for people I know...they accomplish a marathon, they do what Zac did...yes I go to them and praise them...for anonymous people to me, I don't go around dolling out exhortations."
--I don't think I generally desire to elevate people too highly based on particular showy deeds, either. Though I suppose I do some sort of elevation on a subconscious level as I think that particular names (e.g., writers/pastors) are somehow 'respectable', even if I haven't read or listened to them much firsthand.
--Maybe it would be good if we could adopt the 'that's cool' approach for people we know and don't know, but just at least subconsciously or quietly understand that outer seemingly 'good deeds' aren't necessarily more holy than invisible sacrifice or character or whatever.
31. Suzanne Hadley said the following at 4:44 PM on Aug 5:
And keep in mind there is a difference between "elevation" and praise.
32. BDB said the following at 7:16 AM on Aug 6:
It seems that Anna Chlumsky, the actress who starred in My Girl, majored in International Relations like Michelle Kwan.
Hmmm...I seem to be inadvertently finding examples of how women use their fame more responsibly than men do...she got married at 27, too...