This is What Everybody Really Wants

And this is how you can give it to them

If you could possess any superpower, what would it be?

As you marvel at the plethora of superpowers out there, let me remind you that you already possess at least one.

You have the ability to provide people with the one thing we all crave — reassurance.

We All Need It, We All Crave It

Everyone is in deep need of reassurance.

We’re all haunted by doubts about of our value, anxiety and dreads about the future, remorse at the things we’ve done, feelings of guilt and embarrassment about ourselves.

It’s an inexplicable wonder that we manage to keep going, walking through life, without melting into a puddle of tears every day.

We want someone to soothe us and tell us we have a right to exist.

We might have mantras that we cling to for getting through the day, reciting them as faithfully as we sip our morning coffee.

But isn’t it far more comforting to hear those words from someone else?

Reassurance is Not Flattery

Flattery is a bane on humanity, often cloaked with ulterior motives. It’s a lie crafted to gain advantage.

Reassurance is genuine affection aimed at bolstering someone’s spirits.

Flattery masks imperfections.

Reassurance acknowledges them and still believes in you. It embraces your flaws and still deems you deserving of love.

Don’t Reinvent the Wheel

You don’t have to choose your words as if you were Pablo Neruda or William Shakespeare.

Reassurance doesn’t need lofty words.

Use the same words that have been used time and time again:

“You’re doing a great job.”

“You have nothing to be ashamed of.”

“I will always love you.”

These phrases may not be novel, but we need to hear them over and over because our brains are not capable of holding on to their truth over time.

We need our reassurance tank refilled regularly.

So, go ahead. Reassure someone today. Let them know you’ve been thinking of them. Let them know they’re doing a great job.

Do for others what you would like done for you.