Friday, July 6, 2012

POWER OF PRAISE

POWER OF PRAISE

                     Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882)was a renowned English poet and painter. One day, an old man approached him with a few paintings. They were the old man's recent works. He wanted Rossetti's comments about the quality of his paintings. Rossetti examined them in detail and found that they displayed little merit  and lacked any value for sale. Being a very kind artist, Rossetti explained the facts without hurting the feelings of the old man.
                    The old man thanked him for his comments and then produced another set of old paintings, explaining that they were the works of a young artist. Rossetti was obviously much impressed by the superb quality of the second set of paintings and told the old man that the young man was really talented  and had a bright, brilliant and promising future  and with proper encouragement and training, he would one day become a world-renowned painter with excellent and exquisite contributions.
                    The old man was greatly moved by these words. Tears rolled down his wrinkled cheeks. Rossetti asked him about the young artist. "Is he your son?", he enquired.
                    The old man replied, "No, Sir, the young man was myself. I painted these about fifty years ago. If anyone had expressed a word of sincere appreciation at that time, I would have developed my talents properly and become a great painter by this time!" I got discouraged in my early years and gave up all attempts to develop my talents.
                    Unfortunately there was no one to discover the hidden talents in him in his early years. A word of appreciation can work wonders. Appreciation and encouragement have motivated and changed the lives of many and have enabled them to achieve success and greatness in their profession.
                    St. Paul advises us to encourage one another."So then, encourage one another with these words" {1 Thessalonians, 4: 18}. "And so encourage one another and help one another, just as you are now doing" {1 Thessalonians, 5: 11}. "We urge you, our brothers, to warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone" {1 Thessalonians, 5: 14}.
                   "Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good...let us encourage one another all the more..." {Hebrews, 10: 24, 25}.


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© By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and Leo. S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
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