Validation and Admiration
There was once a clown who was really happy. He was the king's personal favourite and the people loved his comical acts. But one day he felt really upset because people took him for granted.
The village beggar noticed the sadness in the clown and said. I understand you feel taken for granted. You are really the best entertainer in the village and nobody should have to tell you that if you stop doing what you do best, this place will never be the same.
Feeling like appreciated and validated for being upset and sad, the clown felt better. His new friend the beggar gave him all the validation he needed.
The beggar unlike the clown, had no skills of his own. Instead of making people laugh, he made people convulse in disgust for his smells and his raggedy look. He lived a hard life but he never got anything out of it.
The clown tried to cheer him up but didn't know what his friend the beggar needed.
The clown had many fans per se and friends too. But they all lived good easy lives, in comfortable homes. Then he realized something.
He took his friend the beggar out to the tailor and bought him some new clothes, took him to the bath house and got him bathed and his beard trimmed. He bought a new bed and let the beggar live in his house. Taken aback, his friend asked ' My dear friend, what are you doing?'
The clown replied ' You have lived a hard life, a difficult time on the streets'. I'm awed at how you live your life, a scrap of food here and a scrap there and then what a miricle it is to lie down at the end of the day. I give you what you don't have because the simple joy of having you as my friend is enough.
Admiration was what he needed. Happily ever after?
Well perhaps! There's more to life then validation and admiration. But we all need it. Some need only one primarily, some need both...
Sent via BlackBerry from SingTel!