Appreciation matters

What is it about appreciation that seems to be so difficult for some people? Sometimes all it takes is two words...

Those who always focus on what they don't have instead of appreciating what they do have, will always be unsatisfied. I don't always appreciate what I have. And that's applicable for almost everyone. We always want more. Instead of appreciating that we're healthy, we have running water and we can breath fresh air. I appreciate the small things. The Sunshine, watching the night sky. But maybe when it comes to materialistic things I should look around in my room and see what I do have. And be happy for it! I notice sometimes people tend to be grateful for things, but don't express it as much as they should. Then again there are times when it's difficult to verbally express gratitude, because some people aren't very good at explaining how they feel, but then there are times where you just can't say it cause your in a rush and don't even realize, or too busy doing something else that you forget. I notice this very often happens with teachers. For example; say a teacher is trying to give a lesson to a noisy classroom who isn't paying that much attention, those are the times that I try to do my best to focus on what their saying, not because I care about the lesson (though I probably should) but because I can tell by their facial expression that they feel unappreciated for having taken time out of their lives to prepare that lesson. And what I love is that, they then realize that I'm paying attention and so their facial expressions change, they no longer seem so embarrassed or worthless, cause at least that one person is paying attention, and is showing interest in what they are saying. The lesson may still be a bit chaotic but they appreciate that we appreciate, they don't say it, but you can just tell by their face, their eyes. Ages ago I was watching MrRepzion and he was talking about his new years resolution and he was talking about getting a jar and every day writing something he's grateful for on a piece of paper and then putting it into a jar, i took this idea and did it myself, it seems to me that due to this tiny activity I've been noticing more and more all the little things people do for me. And I recognize and appreciate the effort and thought that goes into all the big things. I've always been polite and had manners, but lately it seems like I say thank you way too much, actually I think I've been told a bunch of times that I say thank you to much. I cant help it though, every little or big thing anyone does for me I say thanks, cause I know what it's like to do things for others and not get recognition. And I know that if a thank you makes my day, it will definitely make someone else's also. Then again it's kinda become a habit, I say thank you sometimes, when it's not even relevant... But it makes me feel good, so I say it! Then there's life itself, sometimes we're so busy dwelling in our losses, we forget to be thankful for our gains. Life is difficult, yes. Life sucks, at times yes. But there is always a day after a night, no matter all the tears all the midnight fears, you can be sure that the sun will be there in the morning, the rainbow will be there after the rain, and a blessing will always come after a struggle. Whenever you feel like your not good enough, stop to observe a tree. Consider how the tree continues to stand tall and grow throughout the various cycles and seasons of its life span. You have so much to offer the world and those around you, there is so much beauty within you, and that is something you must also be grateful for. For there to be a good there must be a bad, in the same way if there's a bad there must be a good, instead of picking out all your flaws, think about those attributes that you have that others wish they had and then (if your believer) thank God for having blessed you with such goodness. Every body is good, we are all good, and we have all the rights in the world to believe that we are, putting ourselves down is one huge ass slap in the face to our heavenly father, and is the exact opposite of gratitude. H.M Parton once said "Worry is the opposite of gratitude; it is the failure to understand that you have been and will continue to be provided for each day." Gratitude is being aware that, as things come to you, they are exactly what you need - be it people, circumstance, or challenges. Appreciation is an expression of gratitude, it's the recognition and awareness of people's virtues actions, and kind deeds. It's nice to be appreciated once in a while, to feel that what you are doing or saying isn't going unnoticed. Even if it's something as small as holding the door open for someone, or carrying things for someone who may be struggling to carry it by themselves, the little "thank you" or "thanks" that comes after could potentially make someones day.......... I don't know about you, but, I tend to do as much as I can for those around me, whether they notice it or not, I still do it. Most of the times it does go unnoticed, It doesn't stop me from continuing to do it though. I keep doing it, until someone finally says "thank you" then it feels like it's all payed off, it feels like the other things I did do weren't as pointless or a waste of time as I first thought it was. However, there is a huge difference between being grateful and having appreciation. To have gratitude you must also have appreciation, however you do not need gratitude to have appreciation. We can appreciate a good book, without feeling grateful or thankfulness for it. But we cannot be grateful for someone or something without first feeling appreciation for that person or thing. This implies that gratitude is on a higher level than appreciation. However, what would gratitude be without appreciation. Gratitude is the base of appreciation, If we are truly grateful for something or someone, our appreciation will then grow. The subtle shift from gratitude to appreciation involves being more thoughtfully aware and active in reflecting on the reasons we feel grateful about something or someone. Through awareness, we then begin to create feelings of appreciation. Gratitude would be, being thankful for your parents and all that they do for you, appreciation for your parents would be pondering deeper into why you are grateful for what they do, and why they do what they do, it would be looking into your parents soul and thinking I love everything about you! Appreciation is a deeper link within ourselves, that can, and will spread among others, if used correctly. Through showing your appreciation, you then open up a whole new perspective and view on life, while others will continue to be grateful for the things around them, YOU will be picking out the true beauty and purpose of everything that their grateful for and more, because when your in a real state of appreciation, you hold a link between life and your soul, leaving you with a recognition of every single detail, which you WILL be grateful for.

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