Admiration is the result of a worthy exchange. If someone has done or shown something worthwhile or admirable, they normally receive admiration as a result. Admiration is like sunshine for the soul. It is life-giving and can make the giver and the receiver feel better. When it does not occur, something is very wrong and it usually indicates that the exchange is occurring in a hostile environment.
We don’t generally look for admiration in a work environment, but the lack of admiration in any relationship is an unfailing indicator that something is wrong and needs to be addressed if the relationship is to endure.
In any relationship, we look for cooperative ideas, pleasant exchanges of information, peaceful surroundings, and friendly company. We often seek to develop relationships with people we can admire, because of their brilliance, talent, or perhaps their physical beauty.
Perhaps we would be better off seeking people who admire us as much as we admire them. As long as we have something valuable to exchange with each other, this can be extremely satisfying and long-lasting. Admiration is the exchanging of life force between people and other living things. When it occurs, both parties benefit and it also indicates that the intentions of each party are in alignment.
We are as strong as we have allies and our survival as human beings is determined in part by the allies we choose and support. The integrity and power of our group depend on how well our intentions are aligned and this is reflected by the level of admiration we exchange within the group.
If we choose a group to join based on our mutual admiration, we are off to a good start, based on how well we did our initial investigations. We may find that we did not do enough research beforehand or there may have been hidden intentions that did not appear until we joined the group and started producing and exchanging services or products. The very first indication that we may be in the wrong group will be the immediate absence of any admiration.
If we cannot remedy the reason for the absence of admiration, we should immediately be looking for an alternate relationship or employment. Almost all of us will delay this step, for years in some cases, until we are forced out of the relationship or work situation, usually on some pretext that we are not doing what was expected from us. If you care to look at every failed relationship or career situation, you will find that the first sign was an unexpected lack of admiration from the others in the group.
Do not crave admiration, as it is earned by a worthy exchange. If you are providing the exchange you promised, you should be getting the admiration you deserve. If you are not being admired for what you provide, you should be elsewhere where your talents and services will be appreciated. Admiration is just one component of a well-structured life. If it is missing, you need to look at your environment and change it for one where you can earn admiration.
If you cannot confront making this change, you need counseling from someone who understands your problem. This change will not happen on its own.