As the month of November approached, I began to consider all the words that define this month, especially in the United States where we will celebrate Thanksgiving Day on November 25 this year. Words like gratitude, bounty, harvest, plenty and prosperity came to mind. And one word kept creeping into my consciousness and that word was appreciation.
When I looked up the exact definition of the word appreciation in Webster’s Dictionary, I read this: recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something. And that simply made me smile.
How often do you take a moment to truly appreciate this life you’re living? What good qualities do you recognize in your loved ones, neighbors and friends? What are you participating in today that rises to the level of enjoyment? There are many questions and moments we can ponder.
I sensed sincere appreciation earlier this month when I had the opportunity to be with three of my childhood girlfriends for a weekend. Each of them have remarkable qualities that were present as young girls, young adults; and those qualities have grown even dearer to me today. Qualities of being such as creative, fun-loving, generous, productive, heart-centered, smart, courageous and true. These women are unique individually and yet we share the bond of life-long friendship that indeed binds us together. And I sincerely appreciate their presence in my life.
As you begin to look toward a new year filled with promise, let’s take a beat to recognize and enjoy what this year has given us. For me, my sincere appreciation for every client past and present is palpable. The quality of commitment they have for their life and life’s work is recognized and enjoyed by me each time I meet or remember them. My tribe and possé help me create the sandbox where my biggest dreams find the space to become realities. And that was so true this past year as I realized improved health and my website launched! My loved ones are there for me unconditionally and I am beyond appreciative that we walk this privilege called life together, every single day.
Voltaire wrote, “Appreciation is a wonderful thing: it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” This is the remarkable phenomenon that flows with appreciation… if I can see the “good qualities” in another person and name them, I may very well possess those qualities in myself. In other words, “I know they are mine if I can see them in others.”
Through the end of this month, my wish is that you can take a few moments to appreciate the good that’s everywhere present in your life. The feelings that accompany those moments are unforgettable. Carpe Diem!