Practice Appreciation
When was the last time you met someone who was really joyful? Who just seemed to exude joy? Have you ever met someone who just lights up a room? You just can’t help but smile when you are around them? Did you ever wonder why they are so darn happy when everyone else seems so glum? So depressed? My guess is that is someone who has learned to look for something positive wherever they are - That is called the Practice of Appreciation. Jack Canfield - remember Jack, the Chicken Soup for the Soul guy? - Well Jack Canfield in an article quotes a management study that revealed that 46% of employees leave companies because they felt unappreciated; 61% said their bosses don’t place much importance on them as people; and 88% said they don’t receive acknowledgement for they work they do. Think about that - It wasn’t salary, job security, or even promotions that ranked number 1. People ranked feeling appreciated as the most important thing in job satisfaction. My guess is that would work in marriages, bringing up children, or in any relationship we value. Where in the world did we ever get the idea that we had to point out and emphasize weakness, failures, and mistakes and think this was a motivation to do better or be better? Saying a simple word of appreciation to a co-worker, your spouse, a son or daughter, or even the person working the drive thru window is magic, and it is so darn simple. Now here’s the kicker - you think I am saying that expressing appreciation is just for the other, the recipient of your emotional largesse. No indeed I am not. In fact, the biggest beneficiary of expressing and practicing appreciation is YOU. YUP! It is you, baby! When you are in a state of appreciation, you are in a state of abundance, your focus in on what you love and enjoy and desire - and you get what you focus on. And the more you appreciate, the more beauty you will notice - it becomes an upward spiraling process of ever increasing joy and peace AND ABUNDANCE. Here are a couple of things you can try today - and if you enjoy this as much as I am sure you will, you will make this a regular practice.
Appreciate at least 3 people today - just something small - but you have to either say it to them or write them a note. Something as simple as - “that color you are wearing really suits you”
Appreciate yourself - acknowledge something about yourself today
That’s all there is to it. Except, of course this little warning — practicing appreciation daily will change your life!
