Gratitude. The Art of Appreciation

Gratitude.  Have you given thanks recently? Or appreciated something or someone in your life? It’s an important gift to share with others.

Most of us grumble at some point. If we’re not happy with things that happen to us, we are often pretty verbal in sharing our opinions. We’ve something to say about it, and we want as many people as possible to listen.

If you’ve read any of my articles or sat in on a workshop, you’d have heard me speak about energy and how negative thoughts lock in repeated negative events in our lives. To some degree, we think things into our reality.

So, it’s not a million miles away to appreciate that being grateful, and expressing gratitude, brings us back more of the same. If we express bad thoughts, or good, grateful ones, life brings us what we expect.

Let me explain that a little.

I’ve a friend whose life seems to be charmed and smooth. It’s filled with good feelings, good friends, happy times and positivity. From the outside looking in, I used to think she was ‘lucky’.  That is, until I understood the Universal Laws.

Her continued outlook of Gratitude sends a clear message that all is well, and all will be well.  She expects no less. She believes only good will come to pass.  She moves through her life as if it is a done deal.  And so, in simplicity, it is.

Of course many of us question this ‘luck’. We’re stuck into ‘give me a break’ thinking and fail to appreciate that showing appreciation, like gratitude has many unsung results.

Aside from understanding Universal Laws of energy, it feels good to say thank you. It is right to appreciate someone’s kindness. It is wholly considerate to recognise when someone does us an act of service – on whatever level. No question.

Years ago, when I was involved in Network Marketing I recall one Leader reminding us to notice any gracious action done on our behalf. From the great to the small. From the cleaner in the Rest Room to the Governor (and yes, I thanked him recently for giving me a pen). You get the idea.

Notice when people put themselves out for you – if it’s their routine way of being, or if it’s obviously an extension of their usual behaviour.

Give thanks not just for behaviours and attitudes. 

Give thanks for the myriad of often overlooked things that make our lives work:

• for the air you breathe that fuels your body
• for those special people in your life
• for the birds that sing in the early morning
• for the electricity that powers your shower
• for the coffee beans (and water) for your first cup of coffee
• for a much loved pet who is a constant friend
• for your vision to help you read your favourite books
• for the IT people who make sure your systems work smoothly
• for the bus driver who greets you on each journey
• for the neighbour you pass each day as you leave home

We’re told that we get so much more that we give. But don’t give thanks just for the result or reward.

Mindfulness has no ulterior motive. Mindful actions just ‘are’ for their own sake. They show you are in the moment, noticing and appreciating. 

So speak words of gratitude. Show gratitude. Let others know you appreciate them. Daily. Do the unexpected.

There have been many surveys on what colleagues want from work. And a huge one is to be appreciated.

So wherever you are in your organisation’s structure, start to notice and appreciate those who do you a kindness.

Next time someone goes out of their way to offer to make you a coffee, make a mental note. How would they like to be thanked?

Many of us go overboard in declining compliments “who me? No, it was only a little something”.  Give thanks any way. Give thanks because it shows your empathy and understanding. Appreciate, and be grateful, when someone thanks you.

When my daughter was struggling with a previous relationship and asking for help, I came across a book “The 5 Love Languages”. It spoke of 5 ways that we like to be thanked.

We often show appreciation in the way we too would like to receive it.

Do you recognise your preferred way to receive thanks in this list?

For instance:

• Acts of service
• Words of thanks
• Notes of appreciation
• Quality time together
• Gifts of gratitude

This month, as it’s so near the festive the season, I’ve 2 gifts for you.

Firstly, I’m going to suggest you think about those you work with and how you might show your thanks. So I’ve put together a Gift Guide for you to help you make those gracious grateful gestures I’ve been talking about.

Remember, it’s not the cost, it’s the thought that counts. Your motive.

Stop thinking like another acquaintance who only counted a Christmas as ‘Good’ if she’d received a stack of expensive gifts.

Download your Gratitude - the Art of Appreciation here.