Appreciation
Human beings need to experience a sense of belonging, appreciation and affirmation in their lives if they are to grow as mature and emotionally balanced persons. Even those who deny the need for affirmation need it. "Happiness in the final analysis is no more than a state or condition of appreciation. It is recognizing the blessings and rejoicing in them," says Alvin H. Goeser.
Our recognition, acceptance and appreciation of others must be based on accomplishments that actually exist. Flattery is a sign of selfishness and, therefore, detrimental to growth and will negatively affect a relationship. There is no need for flattery because we can always find good and praiseworthy achievements in every person provided we look for them. If we wish to see that which is good in oneself and others, that is what we will find because we normally find what we look for. On the contrary, when look for shortcomings, we will find plenty of them. Horace Rutledge once said, "When you look at the world in a narrow way, how narrow it seems. When you look at it in a mean way, how mean it is!"
The world today is a world of �ego-concentration�. We are so immersed in our own comforts, positions and possessions that we forget to give due importance to the other. We also fail to express to others the nice things we see in them. The basic fact about human beings is that they do not know that they are valued unless we express it. Appreciation not only helps to know our own beauty and worth, but is also the greatest gift we can make to the life of any human person. Hence, let us look for the good in all situations of life and sincerely offer our appreciation when the time is right.
