Tag Archives: appreciation

Some books are undeservingly forgotten

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“Some books are undeservingly forgotten. None are undeservingly remembered.”

-W.H. Auden, 20th Century English Poet

image of books on a shelf

Image from Flickr by UNCG Research

Do you love books, as I do? Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction? Regardless of your choice, take a moment to recall the books that told a great story or taught a profound lesson that has stayed with you to this day.

What percentage of the books you’ve read have you forgotten completely – perhaps undeservedly – due to a less than optimally open and receptive mind?

EXERCISE:

How would a far more open mind and receptive attitude toward seeking value and benefit from the books you read support you in living a fuller and more prosperous life?

Appreciation Friday Review

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Appreciation: Friday Review

Who and what do you appreciate? Here are a few appreciation-related posts you might have missed. Click on the link to read the full post.

Guy standing on a mountain

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.”

 

 

 

hand with scrap of paper that says "Thank You"

 

“Appreciation is a wonderful thing; it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”

 

 

View from the top of a mountain

 

“The best view comes after the hardest climb.”

 

 

 

Roll out the Red Carpet

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“Roll out the red carpet for each new day before you take your first step. Today you write your own script, tailor-made for yourself.”

—Laurent F. Carrel, Messages from Melanie

Image from Flickr by Nan Palmero

Image from Flickr by Nan Palmero

I met Laurent Carrel and learned about his book, Messages from Melanie, at a recent coaching conference. The book contains messages from his daughter who passed away 35 years ago, but has shared wisdom with her father in his sleep, every night since 2007.

When I think of “rolling out the red carpet,” I think of the rare occasions of great honor it offers to dignitaries, royalty, and people of great character.

What if we chose to see each day in our own lives as so miraculous and special that we rolled out the red carpet for ourselves before our feet touched the ground in the morning?

EXERCISE:

What would be the result of rolling out the red carpet for yourself and others in your world? How would the acknowledgement and appreciation of each new day improve your life?

“You are my sun, my moon…”

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“You are my sun, my moon, and all my stars.”

-E.E. Cummings, American poet, painter, essayist & playwright

Image from ark.ie

Image from ark.ie

The sun, the moon, and the stars emit or reflect light. When light shines upon and around us, we can see and better understand things.

The people closest to us that care the most offer us this opportunity every day, particularly when our eyes are wide open with receptivity and gratitude. It is at these times we discover more about ourselves and can become even more of what is possible for us.

EXERCISE:

Who are the sun, moon, and stars that have made and continue to make a difference in your life? How will you thank them, illuminate their lives, or the lives of others in the same way?

The Best View

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“The best view comes after the hardest climb.”

-Author Unknown

Image from emilykjesbo.blogspot.com

Image from emilykjesbo.blogspot.com

When I started my coaching career many years ago, my wife Wendy gave me the gift of a customized license plate that reads “I Coach.” Over the years it has become a conversation starter, with people often asking me what sport I coach.

This leads to a discussion of my role as a business and personal coach. Recently, I noticed that in all these years I have never coached a professional or even top amateur athlete.

This means that there have also been no actual mountain climbers, but we all climb metaphorical mountains every day. Surprisingly, the bigger and more daunting the climb, the more satisfied and rewarded we feel when we reach the summit.

EXERCISE:

What challenging projects or goals are you pursuing these days?  How can you more fully experience the growth satisfaction along the way as well as the wonderful views when you reach the top?

Day of Infinite Length

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“The day is of infinite length for him who knows how to appreciate and use it.”

-Johann Wolfgang Goethe, 19th Century German writer and statesman

Image from www.rottentomatoes.com

Image from www.rottentomatoes.com

In the 2006 movie CLICK starring Adam Sandler, the hero is an overworked architect who neglects his family. He acquires a magical universal remote that enables him to fast forward through unpleasant or outright dull parts of his life. He soon learns that the seeming bad moments he keeps skipping over contain valuable time with his family, and important life lessons.

EXERCISE:

How can you use your own life remote to slow down or pause the passage of time, so you can more fully appreciate each moment of every day?

Things You Have

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“Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Flickr by Alvanman

Image from Flickr by Alvanman

With Black Friday behind us and the Christmas holiday just days away, a great deal of attention is being devoted to consumerism and asking our Santa’s for the things we desire.

About ten years ago, my wife Wendy and I took a very special vacation to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We made a practical budgetary decision, and promised to forgo purchasing additional gifts for one another.

When the holidays arrived, I was shocked to see wrapped packages from my wife sitting by the fireplace. I began to get upset, thinking she had broken her promise.  With an elfish smile, Wendy simply said“Yes, I know what we promised,” and asked me to open the gifts.

To my pleasant surprise, inside those packages were some of my favorite possessions⏤things I already owned and loved. Opening the packages caused me to remember how much I enjoyed them!

EXERCISE:

How can you take greater satisfaction in the things you already have, rather than things you want or even receive? Consider paying particular attention to non-material items.

A Little Help

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“I get by with a little help from my friends.”

—Lennon & McCartney, co-founders of The Beatles

image from crwi.wordpress.com

image from crwi.wordpress.com

About a month ago, my wife Wendy and I had an opportunity to attend a Beatles tribute concert. As members of the Baby Boom Generation, it definitely took us on a trip down memory lane.

Of particular note were some of the quote-worthy lyrics by the Beatles, including today’s message. In a way, I think they were actually understating the extraordinary value provided by our most cherished and genuine friends.

EXERCISE:

How can you do far more than simply “get by” with a little help from your friends? In what ways can you return this gesture in kind?

Appreciation

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“Appreciation is a wonderful thing; it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”

—Author Unknown

Image from jewishfed.org

Image from jewishfed.org

Who doesn’t want to live an even more full and abundant life? We have all heard the statement that we can have virtually anything we want in life, we just can’t have everything. We must be prepared to make certain trade-offs. To have more of this or that we need intentionally to have less of something else. If we choose to start something new we often must stop something else.

A caveat to this thought involves exercising our appreciation muscles, so the excellence that surrounds us each day is available whenever we wish.

EXERCISE:

How can you expand your capacity to appreciate the riches and wonders of life all around you, to lead an even more full and abundantly rewarding life?

“There is, indeed, something inexpressibly pleasing in the annual renovation of the world, and the new display of the treasure of nature.”

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“There is, indeed, something inexpressibly pleasing in the annual renovation of the world, and the new display of the treasure of nature.”

– Samuel Johnson, author, literary critic and lexicographer

We are in late spring in Michigan, and it is sure a sight to see. With some much-needed rain, it appears that all the trees, grasses and flowers just took a big drink and decided to put on a full display of their beauty.

For me, this vivid display is a huge eye-opener – however, I’ve realized that it takes a veritable explosion of such beauty to get my attention.

Exercise:

Take at least a full minute each day to fully take in the treasure of nature – no matter how big or small. I hope this small act will provide you with a boost of inspiration and passion to take throughout your day.

Consider displaying photographs of nature at work and home and perhaps bring a bit of nature indoors to enjoy throughout your day.