Show your appreciation

Show your appreciation

By Jean Ricot Dormeus

The animal kingdom abounds in lessons about appreciation. My grandfather used to say: “when a cow has nothing to give her calf, she licks it to show her appreciation”. Dogs are emblematic in this regard.  They turn their masters into long-term friends using excitement and attachment.

Keeping your appreciation secret amounts to leaving fertilizers in their bags. Why would you miss an opportunity to bring courage to the disheartened, shower hope on the depressed and light a smile on the face of a downtrodden? Appreciation works as a great gift that creates value both for the giver and the receiver.

Showing appreciation signals that you have the good taste, knowledge and authority to assign value. It takes a connaisseur to identify a masterpiece and assess its value. A refined ear perceives the quality of great classical music. Only experts properly evaluate antiques and rare items. You take a major step upwards when you state someone's feature, belonging or action that impresses you.

Do you wish to make someone feel good? Show them your appreciation. In virtue of the principle of reciprocity, the beneficiary will find a way to return the favor. Thus you create connections and conditions conducive to cooperation.

The habit of showing appreciation leads us to focus on strengths and positive characteristics. Thus, you contribute to strengthen other people's self esteem and you automatically do the same thing for yourself. Why would you deprive yourself of such a godsend?

It may take some effort to practice the art of showing appreciation and paying a compliment from time to time.  But imagine the inestimable satisfaction that will accrue to you from mastering this art. Show your appreciation now and often.

Jean Ricot Dormeus

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