Appreciation
Appreciation is something often forgotten in the hustle and bustle of our crazy and hectic lives. Yet, it's so simple... Just "thankful recognition" or "gratitude" for what someone has done for you, or even for things around you in your daily life...past, present and future.
This week I had the opportunity to learn some personal lessons and reminders in appreciation. I spent this week with my mom at a convention. She has previously nasty battle with uterine cancer last year. We share so much in common, and although we talk to each other every single day, I can not tell you how much, how important it is to spend time together.
During the week I realized there are so many things we can learn about each other by being together. I learned a lot about my history and legacy by watching her re-visit her history in visiting her college after 38 years, hearing stories and lessons in life. She learned that I really do have an evil alter ego (especially when hormonal), what I do at work on a daily basis, my views on organizations, likes/dislikes, and was reminded of things that just haven't changed in the 35 years of my life...
Some time ago, Oprah socialized the concept of a "gratitude journal" where you write down what you are grateful for every day. My point here is not that we need to do this every day, but rather we can not forget the importance of giving thanks on a regular basis, especially when we feel like there is nothing to be appreciative of...
Furthermore, my husband and my brother often remind me of how important it is to appreciate and how it feels to be appreciated and ladies, believe it or not, this is a key driver for happiness of men in relationships... often called "the little things that count."
The most important appreciation though, is for yourself... who you are, how you are, as perfect or imperfect as you view yourself, you are God's contribution to our existence and we must give our thankful recognition for that!
So here is my contribution for today:
I appreciate: time with my friends having an inside joke or laugh, family dinners, family outings and junkfood runs, date nights, having the opportunity to love and to be in love with my husband (and my puppy dog of course), the time I spend with my mom and the time I had to spend with my grandmother, my education, my experience my job, flowers
This week I had the opportunity to learn some personal lessons and reminders in appreciation. I spent this week with my mom at a convention. She has previously nasty battle with uterine cancer last year. We share so much in common, and although we talk to each other every single day, I can not tell you how much, how important it is to spend time together.
During the week I realized there are so many things we can learn about each other by being together. I learned a lot about my history and legacy by watching her re-visit her history in visiting her college after 38 years, hearing stories and lessons in life. She learned that I really do have an evil alter ego (especially when hormonal), what I do at work on a daily basis, my views on organizations, likes/dislikes, and was reminded of things that just haven't changed in the 35 years of my life...
Some time ago, Oprah socialized the concept of a "gratitude journal" where you write down what you are grateful for every day. My point here is not that we need to do this every day, but rather we can not forget the importance of giving thanks on a regular basis, especially when we feel like there is nothing to be appreciative of...
Furthermore, my husband and my brother often remind me of how important it is to appreciate and how it feels to be appreciated and ladies, believe it or not, this is a key driver for happiness of men in relationships... often called "the little things that count."
The most important appreciation though, is for yourself... who you are, how you are, as perfect or imperfect as you view yourself, you are God's contribution to our existence and we must give our thankful recognition for that!
So here is my contribution for today:
I appreciate: time with my friends having an inside joke or laugh, family dinners, family outings and junkfood runs, date nights, having the opportunity to love and to be in love with my husband (and my puppy dog of course), the time I spend with my mom and the time I had to spend with my grandmother, my education, my experience my job, flowers
- What are you appreciative of?
- How will you show those you appreciate how you feel?
- Deliberately appreciate three things today...
Comments