Anyone who reads this blog knows I’m a big supporter of appreciation. It’s a powerful ability when it comes to your mental and spiritual health. But with no offence to Ms. Cousins, it is not necessary to put it into words. Yes, it’s nice when people do and I would join the quote’s author in encouraging you to do so. But to have that expectation—if we need it in words—then we (and the people who express things in ways other than words) are left in a difficult position. Some people like to use gifts or things they have created to show apprecation. Some like to dedicate time or assistance. Some can show it through touch. And yes, sure, some show it with words. But if words are the only form you’re watching for, then you very well might miss out on very clear language that you are in fact being appreciated. And that could lead to a lot of otherwise unnecessary problems. Don’t ask people to love you the way you like to be loved. Watch for how they express it and work with that and you’ll become even closer. Closer to the point where they will over time begin to learn to love you in the way that you prefer just as you will do that for them. For now, whether you speak appreciatively or not, go spend your day doing as much appreciating as you can and you’ll definitely be heading in the direction you want to go. 😉
peace s
Note: Everyone who posts or shares a quote does so with the very best of intentions. That said, I have created the series of Other Perspectives blog posts in an effort to prevent some of these ideas from entering into people’s consciousness unchallenged. These quotes range from silly to dangerous and—while I intend no offense to their creators—I do use these rebuttals to help define and delineate the larger message I’m attempting to convey in my own work. I do hope you find them helpful in your pursuit of both psychological and spiritual health.
A serious childhood brain injury lead Scott to spend his entire life meditating on the concepts of thought, consciousness, reality and identity. It made others as strange to him as he was to them. When he realized people were confused by their own over-thinking, Scott began teaching others to understand reality. He is currently CBC Radio Active’s Wellness Columnist, as well as a writer, speaker and mindfulness instructor based in Edmonton, AB where he still finds it strange to write about himself in the third person.