Appreciation

 There is on some rare occasions a fervour aroused and a passionate appeal made on behalf of certain sections or professions in the society.  All of these professions are certainly noble and praiseworthy.  It is just that the fervent stirred is short lived!  Take for example, the focus on farmers.  Then there is the patriotic sentiment aroused in the name of the armed services. Or the doctors. The whole country is carried away by these 'advertisements'.  But their genuine needs and protests are not something that touches or moves us.  

The farmers agitation in north and south India went on for months.   During that time, there was much media publicity about these protests.  Slowly that wound up - the broadcasting, not the protest.  What happened to those farmers and their attempts is unknown!  But we had our supply of fruits and vegetables - and we were happy! 

Each of these services is truly of great importance. But when the span of attention and appreciation is very short and passing, the respect due to them is not genuine.  It is only a fad.  

I came across someone sharing their experience of some shops in Japan displaying, with the farm produce, the name and photo of the farmer who cultivated them.  That's something noble. A truly personal touch and link between the end-user and the producer of the fruit or the vegetable. 

Making gods

The exciting task of making someone or something into a god is perhaps the most laziest and surest way of not making any effort ourselves in that sphere of life.  It is the same when we extol someone or praise someone so highly that we invest all our time and attention in doing so.  Rather than emulate and see how we can replicate their efforts and do the same for others, we satisfy ourselves and settle for the LCD - 'least common denominator'. 

While appreciating someone or praising someone for their valiant efforts or achievements is indeed a noble virtue, it is no excuse or replacement for not attempting to do likewise.  Merely putting someone on the pedestal and not doing anything to continue the good initiated by them, is not any worthwhile endeavour.

In the first reading of the day, from the Acts, we see Paul and Barnabas struggling to convince people that they are ordinary human beings.  Enamoured by their miracle, the people attempt to deify them.  Exactly something we do with our onscreen heroes and real life activists.  We glorify them and their acts, but do little to make the same effort ourselves. 

Praise... the right kind

I came across a very interesting and highly educative RSA doodle about the link between praise and learning.  The basic premise is about what are the success indicators, the educators or adults endorse? We may praise a kid for being smart ... and possibly ruin his future efforts or praise the kid for his effort and keep alive the innovative streak in him.  It is ultimately important to challenge and help children try different and difficult tasks and all along praise the effort, not the results or the already gifted skills.

Some profound insights from the video: 

• Praise the process rather than intelligence itself.
• The latter leads children to a performance or achievement oriented direction; the former (praise for process) leads to further efforts, even if the child suffers setbacks or failures.
• The focus is to help children stay engaged and eager to learn, rather than achieve results.
• When a child says 'it is boring', it actually means the child is afraid to try!
• Convey a value system to children (that hard work is more valuable than rank; that effort is more fulfilling than appearing smart; that honing one's skill is better than resting on one's talent...)
• Keep alive the learning curve... learn at all times and at all costs.