There are times I really struggle with the whole left hand/right hand concept. I suppose it’s because I also sometimes struggle with giving honor to whom honor is due. Is it just me or does it seem like they could cancel each other out?Have you ever worked hard on something, only to have someone else take credit for it? That can really rankle. Or have you ever anonymously given someone a gift, only for the recipient to think someone else was the giver?
I recently watched a rerun of Criminal Minds. It was an episode where the research tech, Garcia, received a bouquet of flowers that had a card thanking her for her hard work, signed by Gideon (a senior member of their team). She was practically giddy about it. It made her feel ten feet tall. And when she went in to thank him for it, he barely acknowledged it. But that just made her all the more thrilled. It wasn’t until the end of the episode that it was revealed that another member of the team had actually sent the flowers, but signed Gideon’s name to the card. When Gideon asked him why he had done it, the character Hotchner replied, "Everyone needs to feel appreciated" (or something like that).
But you know what struck me? Neither character was bothered by who received the credit. Both recognized the value in honoring and validating another person. That’s cool.
- Sheree Yasko Hill
