Appreciation’s the recognition of the quality, value, significance, or magnitude of people and things. It can be sensitive awareness or delicate perception, especially of aesthetic qualities or values, as well as an being an expression of gratitude.
Understanding Appreciation
Appreciation is defined by phrases such as “a favorable critical estimate,” “sensitive awareness” and “an expression of admiration, approval or gratitude.” When you appreciate someone, you are tuned into a positive quality of another human being and express your empathy and gratitude for it. For most people, the idea of expressing appreciation to another person on a regular basis might seem quite novel. Another meaning of appreciation is to experience “an increase in value.”
We often associate this idea with real estate, or fine art, but practicing appreciation to another we can notice and feel an increase of the value of that particular relationship. Appreciation results in positive vibration offered to all, and further inspiration and expansion into a greater you.
Appreciation is a simple way to refresh ourselves, to open up heart-felt connections to ourselves and others. Appreciation is a recognized antidote to a major cause of relationship breakdown, which is criticism. Acts of kindness, such as appreciation, alter the brain chemistry in a positive way that elevates our mood and sense of well-being. This change is enjoyed not only by the recipient of the act of kindness, but also by the giver and even third-party witnesses to that act.
Many people who have been divorced suffer a major blow to their self-esteem and self-confidence. Appreciation is like a loving balm to those wounds of situations such as a divorce, soothing the pain of the past and helping you move forward towards a brighter future. Appreciation enhances and enriches all kinds of relationships profoundly; not only in our intimate relationships, but with our children, our family, our work colleagues and beyond.
How to Become More Appreciative
Appreciation is both a fully focused delight about whatever it is that feels good and a recognition of your own ability to intend and allow its manifestation. A true sense or feeling of appreciation takes practice. If you must ‘fake it until you make it’ then do just that. You can choose to practice this by giving some time every day to focus on appreciation. It is possible to appreciate even the simplest things in your life, and extremely beneficial to do so.
Appreciate a deep relaxing breath of air or perhaps the pleasurable radiant warmth of the sun. The things you might take for granted, like clean, safe water to drink or a warm blanket on a cold night, and a good meal, are all worthy of appreciation. As you do this, try to focus completely on the good this experience or item offers you, and acknowledge that you and only you have created it, no matter how it came to you.
No matter your condition or circumstances, there will always be something that you can find to appreciate. If it seems there is a dearth of happiness in your life, just look for a single thing each day and honor your part in manifesting it, then think of any and every aspect of that item or condition which is a positive force in your life.
Remember the attraction-based nature of the world. Like attracts like. Remember that when you feel an energy of gratefulness to an external source for being saved from something you did not want, you perpetuate conditions in which you must rely on random circumstances, kindness and luck for your happiness.
As a result, your happiness will fluctuate, no matter how much you thank a higher power, your employer, your spouse, parent or child. When you fully focus your attention on appreciation for the experience, object or circumstance that bring you happiness, recognizing that it was always you who created it, then you draw to yourself more things to appreciate. In an ever-expanding spiral, then, more positive things for you to appreciate come your way.
References
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/power_appreciation.html
