Who have you appreciated lately?

Instead of asking someone "What have you done for me lately?" Perhaps we should look in the mirror and ask who have we appreciated lately? Stop and think about the day you had today. How many times did you have a thought around whether someone was going to notice what you were doing and appreciate it for the gift that it was.

Everyone wants what they do to be noticed. Even commented on in as positive a light as possible. Aren't we taught to think to yourself "If I died today what would people say about me at my funeral?" That question will work for both purposes I suppose, but the point is still the same. Can we take our natural inclination to worry about ourselves and put it aside to recognize someone for something they are doing around them?

The general rule is that what you think about you bring about. It seems all the worrying that we do about people noticing our good works would be more highly recognized should we employ the idea of doing unto others as you have them do unto you.

All very cliche' but true all the same. Do you have a co-worker that takes a genuine interest in you and what you are doing? A friend that takes time to sincerely and specifically thank you for something that you have done? A complete stranger that thanks you for opening the door for them? It seems that we should be able to employ that same gratitude.

That doesn't mean running around trying to create a love fest all around you. This becomes overkill and turns into an in-sincere gesture that people becomes suspicious of. The trouble is that you have to be thoughtful and sincere in the appreciation that you apply.

Thank you is a simple courtesy, but going to someone and really thanking them for something that had a particular impact on you means a lot to people. They feel noticed and valuable. These are relationship builders that will benefit you for the rest of your life. Even if you do not remain in contact with that person for years to come. It will still create a persona for yourself that says you think about something other than yourself. Your purpose is for the greater good and not for the greater you. Resulting in your own need to be recognized to be fed at a level that you require.

First you have to decide if that is what you want in your life. Once the decision is made ask yourself..."Who have I appreciated today?"