February, the month associated with love, is upon us. This is the perfect time to look at those people who you most appreciate, and consider how to best share your sentiments.
Why is appreciation so important? Several reasons, actually.
- It improves your mindset. You can’t simultaneously focus on what’s right and what’s wrong; expressing appreciation (or even just recognizing it) causes you to feel more gratitude for all the good things in your life, making your world a nicer place to be.
- Every time you share words of appreciation, you’re giving feedback which encourages more of the behavior you’re noticing. This is especially important for your kids, who are usually glad to know what makes Mom happy.
- You see what you look for. When you’re intending to find things to appreciate, you notice the positive, helpful and pleasant people and things around you, which you might otherwise overlook.
- Appreciation given to others puts your recipients in a good mood. Everyone likes to hear honest, heartfelt words of admiration, especially when unexpected and unsolicited.
So how do you begin expressing more appreciation?
- Start at home. It’s easy to take family members for granted, but the people under your roof are probably the most important ones to give appreciation to. By doing so, you begin to create a more positive environment for everyone.
- Expect a little discomfort… but don’t let it deter you. If you’re not used to sharing your gratitude for and to the people around you, it will feel strange to do so at first. As with anything new, however, “practice makes perfect!”
- Look for the small stuff. You don’t need to wait for monumental things to surface; appreciate the grocery store cashier who always greets you with a smile, the neighbor who brings in your trash can, the young nephew who remembers good manners. If you’re feeling brave, tell each person what you appreciate about them. If not, tell your children; when they hear you express appreciation for others, it can give them a new perspective and help them put a more positive spin on things in their own lives.
- When it comes to your kids, appreciate the effort. Children aren’t going to get everything right, and the younger they are the more this holds true. When I mentioned this week’s topic to my son, he told me, “I like when people appreciate something that I’ve worked really hard at,” and I think this is true for most kids. Whatever they may or may not actually accomplish is much less important than the fact that they’re trying. Their effort needs to be the focus.
Last but certainly not least, remember to appreciate the wonderful lady in the mirror. She does so much for so many people, and (whether or not she hears it a lot) she’s doing a great job.
Your assignment: This week, actively look for people to appreciate, and find a way to share this appreciation either with them or with others. Be sure to tell your family members what you especially appreciate about each of them, too; they’ll love to hear it.
