One of the primary high school cheers began with: “2,4,6,8; who do we appreciate!” The answer in today’s deteriorating society is becoming increasingly, “nobody,” and “nothing!” The longer we continue to focus more attention and notoriety on bad news, the longer we are going to continue to reap it.
I was told at an NNPA national conference many years ago, that “good news doesn’t sell.” I was aware then, as now, that it is a slow mover, but I continue to prioritize it–and I am still here after most (if not all) of them are gone-–“Bigger isn’t always better!”
It may go unnoticed by most who are unfamiliar with the old courtesy, morals and manners taught in past decades by Black parents and teachers in particular, especially of elementary grades (before integration and TV), who now consider violence, sex and profanity as entertainment and war and other heinous acts merely as top news stories, while encouraging sick minds to perfect actions for maximum attention-getting!
Appreciation is the major basis within for the happiness that everyone is seeking from without. So critical is appreciation that the foundation of all attitude is based upon it–or lack of it! It can make the difference between turning any situation into a heaven or a hell –that invariably affects one’s immediate environment as well as of those within it, as gratitude begets gratitude and ingratitude begets ingratitude.
Also foreign to older generations is payment expected and/or received by children for menial home chores. It breeds in appreciation and encourages disrespect that in turn creates resentment, depression, apathy, etc.,leading to “taking things and people for granted in general as a result. One would be amazed at how uplifting it can be to think and subsequently ACT positive! For it is recorded in the Holy Bible: “As a man thinketh, so is he.”
Let’s appreciate the people about us who add purpose and meaning to our lives and make every effort to reciprocate likewise! Appreciate the little tokens that add up to big miracles. May we especially appreciate the Age in which we are living, “The time foreordained unto the peoples and kindreds of the earth–which is now come! A time when the development of science and technology has surpassed all other ages combined! Yet, through insensitivity and greed, many of the right discoveries are being used for the wrong reasons!
Let’s especially appreciate whatever good physical and mental health we may yet enjoy, rather than worry about what may inevitably deteriorate with time–if not through our knowledgeable assistance through unhealthy habits.
Without appreciation we will become engulfed in a sea of fear, distrust and disrespect, leading to depression in which we could have no positive effect on anyone.
We read in the Baha’i Holy Writings: “Appreciate the days in which ye live for they will come to you no more and you will never have like opportunity!”
