Below are 35 ideas for affirmation which I took from Sam Crabtree's excellent book, Practicing Affirmation (p. 151-160). He listed 100, but I chose 35 which would help you to start if you haven't already with the Lord's guidance to the glory of God.
1. At a committee or board meeting, before moving on to the next
agenda, stop to commend those who worked on the previous item.
2. Write a personal letter or note card that an employee can take home
or put in a personnel file. Keep a supply of such blank note cards in your desk
for just such a purpose. E-mails will do, but they are less likely to be pinned
up on workspace walls or put in a portfolio.
3. Commend the wisdom and helpfulness of a suggestion somebody has
made, especially when the suggester has offered to be part of a solution to a
problem.
4. Explain that what inspired you to do some good thing was the other
person's example. "l brought coffee cake for the office because I see how
much the staff enjoys it when you consistently do thoughtful things."
5. Don't talk down to people; talk up to them. Consider them better
than you. "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count
others more significant than yourselves" (Phil. 2:3). "You probably
already know this, but. . . ."
6. Loan something of value - books, camping gear, a car, a cabin - as a
signal of your willingness to take a risk, having noticed something in the
other person that elevates your confidence in her trustworthiness.
7. Think of something that is normally not praised, because it is
simply expected - like refilling the soap dispensers at church restrooms.
Customarily, those who have responsibilities for such things as refilling soap
dispensers only hear from people when the dispensers are empty. Be the one to
notice that they are not empty, and commend the faithfulness of the worker who
serves others behind the scenes.
8. In the next birthday card or Christmas card you send, include a
personal note commending some Christlike quality you observe in the recipient.
9. Commend someone for the (sensitivity, kindness, compassion, etc.)
with which he treated a third party. You noticed, and so does God.
10. When asked to do a chore, consider saying something like,
"Nothing would give me more pleasure right now than doing this for
you," because of all the tasks in the universe you could be doing, you
choose to do this one. Serving someone can be affirming of them.
11. Nominate someone for an office or post - based upon her integrity,
dependability, or trustworthiness.
12. Following a worship service, write a note or leave a voice mail for
someone who excelled in reverential musicality, hospitable ushering,
enthusiastic reading, or faithful preaching.
13. Respond to that e-mail or note that has been waiting for a
response.
14. Ask a younger person's advice.
15. Paul said to the Corinthians, "Be imitators of me, as I am of
Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1). Say to someone, "You are like Christ in (forbearance,
boldness, etc.), and I want to imitate you as you imitate Christ."
16. Jesus is never late. His timing is perfect. While waiting for the
start of a meeting, commend those who were on time for their punctuality, which
shows respect for the time of others.
17. Stop and pray right now, asking God to help you to be affirming.
18. Do you know people who are suffering from an illness? They may be
encouraged if you commend their endurance, patience, and determination (to
stick with the therapy, etc.).
19. Do you know of a missionary or someone else doing something risky
but right? Commend the courage.
20. When you read a biography and come across an incident or episode
modeling great character, read it to someone or send a photocopy of the paragraph
or page, saying something like, "This reminds me of you."
21. Compare someone you know with a Bible hero.
22. Don't forget to say thank you to those who directly (or indirectly)
benefit you.
23. Commend a self-sacrificing mother for her loyalty to her children's
welfare.
24. When someone comes up with a good idea or solution that was
overlooked by others, commend his resourcefulness and creativity.
25. When someone advocates for the relief of the suffering of someone
else, praise the compassion being demonstrated.
26. Is someone taking pains to avoid hurting someone else? Commend that
gentleness.
27. Search the Scriptures for ways people commend others. Do likewise.
28. When you observe (or hear about) a youngster doing his chores,
praise his sense of responsibility as evidence that he is growing up.
29. Do you see someone who is good at welcoming others, inviting them
to share in activities, meals, lodging, etc.? Commend the hospitality.
30. Put down this list, pick up the phone, and call your (spouse,
teammate, coworkers, child, parent, etc.) with an affirmation. The point: don't
save it until later.
3l-. Commend a worker (postal clerk, bank teller, McDonald's cashier,
grocery store check-out guy, etc.)for smiling and being cheerful.
32. Literally applaud someone for doing something commendable.
33. Insert a character quality into the well-known birthday jingle,
like this: "Happy birthday to you' Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday,
dear dependable Debbie. Happy birthday to you."
34. Make an acrostic of a person's name, using a character quality for
each letter. For example, Vicki:
Virtuous
Innovative in solving
household problems
Courageous
Kind to aging parents
Industrious
35. Ask members of your small group how they affirm Christlikeness in
others, or ask for fresh ideas. Ask how they
like to be commended.
