Insights & Inspiration

Appreciation

Fresh air, sparkling stars, rays of sunshine peaking through wispy clouds, smiling eyes, a friend’s voice, birds chirping at sunrise, a hot mug held in cold hands, a warm hug on a tough day, infectious laughter, a loving animal’s soft fur, a spectacular mountain view, a breathtaking sunset, a helping hand, kind words, on and on the list grows for what many of us appreciate. How do you feel reflecting on the things you appreciate in your life?

Our energy increases, our mood lightens, even a smile sneaks out on our face when we think or talk about what we appreciate. So why would any of us want to snuff this out and flush it down the drain by focusing on what we don’t appreciate – so we can feel grumpy, irritated and down right miserable? Perhaps some of us are that masochistic, but more likely it is just an unconscious habit. And yes, there are many incidents in life that are not worth appreciating. At least not at first glance, but when you look under the surface you can see that all events serve a bigger purpose. It’s all about perspective and if you look carefully enough, you will see the gift in everyone and everything; even if the gift is just learning to how be more forgiving and kind.

When you take an attitude of appreciation, you become bigger than the obstacles and you find ways to enjoy all aspects of your life. Doing housework shifts from a chore to caring for the home you appreciate, paying bills turns into appreciating the services you’ve benefited from, annoying co-workers, neighbours and relatives become opportunities for practicing acceptance, which everyone appreciates. And the more you focus on what you appreciate, the more you attract positive experiences into your life to further appreciate.

Insights

Inspiration