The Art of Appreciation

The Art of Appreciation

The more self absorbed, its all about me, we become, the harder it becomes for us to see the good in others. People, everyday, everywhere, try to make themselves feel better by proving their superiority. As if, by making someone else feel bad or look bad, they look better. By making everyone else less important, we give ourselves a greater feeling of self worth.

After all, we’re only human. Looking out for number one. All important. Authentic. Living our lives to the best our abilities. It’s black and white.

We’ve been taught not to let anything get in our way. To go for it. To make our own way in the world. Nobody is going to do it for you. You’re on your own.

The picture looks bleak.

We become bitter and angry, unable to give. We forget to appreciate the good deeds of the past. The little things that people do. We stop looking for the good. Feeling good. Caring. Kindness. We become preoccupied .

But look at it from a different perspective.

When someone does something nice for us, doesn’t that make us special? We are important to them. There is a sense of self worth in being important, cared for – loved. An unselfish deed is enough to make us feel good.

Nobody IS going to do it for you -- live it, learn it, get it done. But it is nice to know that there are people out there, looking out for your best interest. Helping along the way. Offering their support. Showing kindness – to make your portrait a little brilliant.

Insults are something we can hang on to for a lifetime – but so are compliments. A frown can bring everybody down, but a smile can spread joy. A simple kindness can make you, an unfeeling act can break you. Appreciation or oblivion can change a life. Get the picture?

Notice the difference. Love the contrast. Appreciate the special qualities that create individuals. Splash some colour. Add your own flair to someone else’s day. Create some magic. Together, we can make it a masterpiece.