I often wonder what things mean to others. Each of us only holds our own personal truth. We may find others who hold a similar truth but never exactly the same if it were examined fully. It is enough to find others with which we agree on enough points to share a few moments with, I think.
Personally, Living Appreciation means to me that I am vigilant, actively looking for things to appreciate every waking moment of my life.
This certainly does not mean that I ignore things that I do not appreciate. Unappreciated things are just stuff put in my day to give me something to make a decision about. It is the unappreciated that gives me life. If I just sat around with everything I wanted ever moment of my life, it would be quite boring after a while AND what if I changed my mind about what I wanted? Here I will try to explain.
All around me are hundreds of things each moment which are appreciated with every fiber of my being. Some of these things, you might find mundane where I adore them. For instance I adore the electricity to run my computer, lights and all other appliances. I do not appreciate the Utility bill each month. The Utility bill, however, is just something to make a decision about. I either choose to pay it or I do not. If I stop appreciating all the wonderful things that the Utility Company makes certain are at my finger tips then I will stop paying them. For now I fully appreciate every joy received by the Utility Company. I appreciate the workers at the Company maintaining electric lines, the people answering the phone when I have a question and even beyond that to workers in coal mines, folks working in paper factories to make the paper for my monthly decision to receive or not to receive.
Tonight I appreciate my simple dinner which fills my tummy nicely and nourishes my body allowing me to sit here and type this blog. I do not appreciate the fact that it was not a very nice Rib Eye Steak. For now turkey is appreciated but on my list of future appreciations will be that Steak. It is looked forward to with great joy of it coming one day. Until then, I decide what is appreciated more than the steak. Oh, my mouth waters just thinking of the joy that will bring. In fact as we think about this together, I think that it will be a very special evening, maybe even put candles on the table, cloth napkins and snip some of the beautiful flowers for a vase from our ever growing back yard garden. The wild flower patch just kind of exploded over night with that nice rain we had.
I very much enjoy paying my bills each month (due to higher than normal expenses we are eating turkey this month). Will my creditors ever know that we chose to eat a Turkey for a month to pay their fees? Most probably will not because I believe that our creditors have enough decisions of their own to make. When I talk to my creditors it is a much nicer conversation if they are wanting to sell me something more because they appreciate the business we have done together so far rather than asking why I am not appreciating them by not paying the bill. So it is with high spirits that I prepare for automatic bank drafts, call in a credit card payment or write a check. If ever I stop appreciating the services rendered by our creditors we will part ways as a new decision will be made regarding that unappreciated thought. This is not something that a lot of time is spent thinking about because it takes away time that I could be appreciating the next great thing like the absolutely fantastic weather we are having today.
When I get down or depressed those emotions are given whatever time they need to be fully processed. I appreciate having a mind that is so flexible that such a wide variety can be felt. So if down or depressed, I will give it my full attention usually drawing the blinds, turning off the ringer on the telephone, getting a quart of ice cream from the freezer or popping some corn then sit in our comfortable living room watching a movie or two or maybe even three. I may even decide to just do the bare minimum for the day and take a mental health day to sleep all I want. The point is that I appreciate that my mind is capable of feeling so much so I give it the attention needed until another decision is made.
If I get angry, get yourself ready or RUN because I fully appreciate this emotion as much as the carefree happy ones. Getting angry simply means that something needs my immediate attention and whatever that something is will be dealt with quickly and usually very loudly. I do not repress this emotion because, to me, repressing one emotion impacts all emotions. To get a really good feel of how I express anger just read my Bed Bug adventure.
When I feel love this emotion is also expressed in all of its glory. Often, I get in trouble for being too demonstrative as hugs are quickly dispensed by me. It amazes me how a tiny hug can be taken for so much more than it is intended but that is a small price to pay when I feel love it must be appreciated fully through action. I am at my happiest when others will allow me to love them through enjoying the goodies I bake or letting me see that they enjoy a few moments of conversation. Yes these are the best of moments.
So, What does it mean to you to Live Appreciation? I really am curious and would love to know.
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