High on Happiness

Posts Tagged ‘recognition’

“The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.” ~William James

Oh, how we long to be appreciated!  For building a bond or strengthening one, nothing surpasses the connecting power of appreciation.  Children blossom in its light; marriages warm; friendships deepen.  Professional connections take on greater significance; neighbors become friends.

“There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread,” said Mother Teresa.  Feed someone with appreciation, and you are nourishing his or her very soul.

When you convey your genuine appreciation for someone, you’re letting her know that she’s real for you, that you have heard her, paid attention, noticed and value what she said or did or tried to do.

Appreciation recognizes the goodness in others.  It happens when something about someone touches us in a way that makes us feel uplifted and proud.  Touching our minds, it takes the shape of respect, or admiration, or esteem.  Touching our hearts, it delights us and makes us feel that we have spotted a precious treasure, and it moves us to cherish and adore something in the person who moved us in such a beautiful way.

But the true magic of appreciation is in the expression of it.  Once it’s kindled within us, it wants to leap forth.  It likes to be wrapped in notes and acts of kindness and in words.  “That was wonderful!” it cries.  “I love the way you do that.”  “You really inspired me.”  “That was amazing!”   “Gosh, I love your face in the morning.”  “Wow, you really worked hard at that!  Great job!”

It’s the giving that makes appreciation come alive, that sends it reverberating back and forth between the recipient and giver in an interplay of deepening recognition and meaning.  It’s the dance of human connection, the weaver and restorer of relationships.  It’s the sharing of the bread that feeds our souls.

Do you realize how hungry all of us are for a word of appreciation?  For those moments where we feel that we’re seen, that we’re noticed, that we’re real to someone?

There’s nothing like it.  Those little sparks of human connection are like honey to our souls.  They nourish us and make us feel, if only for a fleeting moment, more alive, as if we matter, as if we count for something.

What if, tomorrow morning when you woke up, you declared it Universal Appreciation Day?  What if you made it your goal to see something amazing in every human being you encountered?

What if you saw their beauty?  Their courage?  Their loneliness?  Their pain?  What if you noticed their skill?  Their laugh?  Their innate wisdom? Their manner?  What if you beamed little bolts of recognition to everybody?  Even strangers.  Even the ones who generally get on your nerves.  A word here, a gesture there, a touch, a smile.  It wouldn’t take much.

How do you think you would feel when the day was done?  How would it change your world?