Refusal to Praise

“Your depression is connected to your insolence
and refusal to praise. Whoever feels himself walking
on the path, and refuses to praise–that man or woman
steals from others every day–is a shoplifter!”
― Rumi

What would you say that those who refuse to praise are stealing?

Like

Yes, social media has its limitations, and some real costs. But there’s something to be said for the tiny hit of affirmation that comes from seeing a person has hit “like” on something you wrote. If only in a small way, it means that we are seen, that some spark of connection has been made.

How, if at all, do you turn to social media for affirmation?