Appreciation is something that I enjoy giving to those around me.  I find that when appreciation is given it makes me feel like I have given a gift.  The most amazing part of this gift is that it is free.  It is something that all of us can give if we choose.  It is something that can make someone feel very special and appreciated, yet sometimes we decide to withhold that appreciation.  Why?   

When it comes to those closest to us, our family, appreciation is easy to give and easy to withhold.  We know what our family members are proud of and it is our choice to complement them on their success or ignore it.  When we ignore the chance to extend appreciation we are sending a message.  The message we are sending is that we don’t care enough to bless that person with our encouragement. 

I was fortunate to have grown up in a household where appreciation was genuine and given out often by all family members.  I remember hearing my father compliment my mother on our evening meal each night.  Before getting up from the table, he would say, “Great dinner Joan, thank you”.  On those very rare days when dinner was not so great, he would look at my mom, smile, and say very genuinely, “Thank you for dinner”.  She then laughed and would say, “I won’t be making this meal again.”  The important gem in this example is that the appreciation was genuine.  Even if the meal was not good, my father showed gratitude to my mother for making dinner.

My closest friends are the ones that share appreciation regularly and without jealousy.  The people I regard as friends are as happy for me when I succeed as they would be for themselves.  Being overly appreciative will likely be a turnoff, but meaningful appreciation is encouraging. 

My daughter recently had surgery on both feet.  The evening of her first-day post-surgery one by one her friends came over to the house for a short visit with her.  She had four visitors that evening.  Those visitors and the outpour of love in the days after, made my daughter feel very appreciated.  Her friends and family kept her mind off her pain and showed her love.  I know that the appreciation was genuine and thoughtful.  It made my daughter feel great, as it would anyone! 

In the workplace, providing appreciation to others is invaluable.  As a manager or leader, I find that giving credit to the people who do the work and think of the ideas is crucial.  Which boss would you want to work for… the one that goes to the president of the company and reports that he/she has a great new idea to discuss; or the one that asks the president to join the team meeting to go over a great new idea for the company?

Knowing the person always helps when you are looking to do something nice for someone.  However, appreciating others can be as simple as a smile, opening a door, starting up a conversation, offering an opportunity to join your team, listening to someone’s opinion, joining in a cultural activity, etc. 

I pray for awareness and opportunities to extend appreciation to others.  My family, friends, and coworkers have shown appreciation to me over the years and I enjoy returning that “love”.  Being generous with appreciation gives me great joy and happiness.     

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