Previously, we talked about the importance of telling people what's on your mind. There, I focused more on telling others when you're upset or angry with them, instead of relying on others to just know the reason behind your frustration.

Today, in light of Valentine's and all those damn chocolate hearts and enormous stuff animals, I want to focus more on the positives of telling others how we feel.

It may sound cheesy, it may feel weird, and for some it can be damn near impossible to do, but telling someone how much you admire or appreciate them can mean the world to some. I'm not talking about your mother's "mind your p's and q's" either. 

Back in my days of avian rehabilitation, I was helping one of the staff apply ointment to the feet of some crows. I sat outside the flight cage preparing the medication as she went inside to catch each crow. The birds had developed some strange warts on their feet and as a precaution we decided to medicate every crow's feet - cause Avain pox is no joke!! As we sat outside the flight cage, crow on her lap, I handed her the medicine as she went along her duties. It could've been a very stressful situation, catching and examining and medicating each crow, but I never felt so calm. We worked slowly yet deliberately, and she took the time to explain to me what we were doing and why we were doing it. I had watched her interactions with the summer volunteers before, and never felt the need to say anything. But watching her and hearing her speak, so willing to teach me something I knew nothing about, I couldn't hold it in anymore.

"You're such an amazing teacher," I blurted out. 

She smiled and thanked me, but for some odd reason I continued to explain why I thought she was such an amazing teacher. She was kind, spoke clearly, and always followed up with the volunteers under her care. I probably sounded like a very strange little girl in that moment, but I didn't care. I just really wanted her to know I thought she was amazing!

It may be strange to say and even stranger to hear, but telling others what you like, admire, or even love about them can be a really great thing. And why not give 'em something to smile about?