Flourish

    “If you can’t be in the popular group, be popular in your group.” My 9 year old granddaughter said, “That makes absolutely no sense!” My granddaughters  were  talking about the popular kids at school. “What is popular?” I asked. They were shocked, “You don’t know what popular is?” I wanted to hear their definition, which was everyone likes you, you make good grades, you think you run the school. What does popular really mean, why does it matter and what does it mean to me and you? We’re not in grade school or high school anymore. Yet we all want to be well liked, which is a synonym of popular. Don’t let the word popular leave a bad taste in your mouth or be something you don’t want because you never achieved it in school. Taste of the real world now, the sweetness of being popular, or well liked, in your own group is awesome. Our circle may be small but still of great value. Let’s look at the benefits of being well liked, favored, highly valued, much loved, approved, highly appreciated, or POPULAR.

     Popular comes from the Latin word populous, which means people. Anything popular is liked by many people. If that is the case, it includes the ocean, mountains, flowers, glorious sunrises or sunsets. Sounds like an awesome place to keep company.  Our circle may be smaller, but no less important than the popular  or well liked group. Let’s see how we can achieve being well liked.

          WELL LIKED

     1) Be yourself. Be content with who you are. Natural spontaneity naturally attract others. Accept who you are, you may not be out going or witty but you can be well liked as you like others..

     2) Be interesting as you’re interested.

     3) Be thoughtful as you’re thoughtful.

     4) Be a friend as you’re friendly.

     5) Be caring as you care.

     6) Be kind as you’re concerned.

     7) Be confident as you choose to not be shy.

     8) Be liked as you like.

     9) Be appreciative, not critical.

    10) Be in your comfort zone even if you are out of your comfort zone. It’s not possible to be everyones friend, but choose to reach out even if you don’t feel like it, the feelings will follow and they will be rewarding.

     Sometimes being well liked in a group rescues people from situations or their own inadequacies. It gives a sense of belonging and purpose. When this gives positive results it’s amazing. If there is gang activity with negative outcomes cut it it off at the root before it grows and find someplace else to flourish. I have been watching the first year of GLEE and those kids were misfits who came together, found their place and excelled in life. I think of GOONIES, those kids were misfits who came together and accomplished much, they saved their town and their way of life. These people may not have been popular but they were popular in their group!

          WELL LOVED

     I must touch on an area of great concern for me, as an awesome grandmother. There is a bond for our kids kids from the get go. We loved them from the first time we knew of their existence. There is a mutual popularity flow between grandparents and grandkids. One factor cementing this relationship is time. Spend time with those special kids and popularity will be prevalent. This results in not only being well liked, but well loved. This is an amazing place to be in this uncertain world we live in.

     We are popular with our God who created us to be masterpieces. In Him is a firm foundation where you can stand confident and secure, adequate not inadequate, restful not stressed, and popular not unpopular.Whatever season of life you are in, whatever you’re going through, find your confidence, character, comfort  and the opportunity to excel in the God who loves you and helps you to flourish.

                        Love, Debbie