Appreciation is a primary basis for the happiness that everyone is seeking from without while void of its inner central source. So crucial is appreciation that the foundation of all attitude is based primarily upon it–or lack thereof.
“Two, four, six, eight–who do we appreciate,” began one of the more popular athletic school cheers of the past. Today’s answer would probably be, “Nothing and nobody!” It may go unnoticed by those too young to be familiar with the courtesy, morals and manners taught in past decades BTV (before television) that today glorifies violence, sex, profanity and any form of warring mentality that tops the news–“It has to bleed to lead.”
Subsequently, anyone seeking attention and/or fame can do so instantly, according to the degree of the atrocity.
Appreciation (or lack of) can turn any situation into a heaven or hell, sorely affecting one’s total environment as well as that of others within it as gratitude begets gratitude and ingratitude begets the same.
Also foreign to the elders of this new age is “payment expected (and received) by children” for menial tasks performed around the household and/or elsewhere, a breeder of disrespect! For lack of appreciation ultimately breeds the same resulting in resentment, apathy and subsequent depression. Taking things and especially people for granted is a special form of lack of appreciation that often manifests itself in detrimental behavior. One would be amazed at how uplifting it is to think and subsequently act positive.
Without appreciation we will become engulfed in a sea of fear, disrespect and depression in which state we could have no positive effect on anyone.
Let’s appreciate those about us who add purpose, meaning and support to our lives. Appreciate the little tokens that add up to big miracles and especially appreciate the Age in which we living–“The time foreordained unto the peoples and kindreds of the earth” which is at hand! The time when the development of science and technology has surpassed that of ” all other ages combined!
May we especially, rather than dwell on the negatives of life, appreciate whatever extent of good health that remains ours as there are always those in worse conditions. Of all of the arts, may we rediscover and cling tenaciously to “the lost art of appreciation!”
