Find Joy And Peace through Appreciation And Acknowledgment

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PHIL: Easter and Christmas are the only two holidays that Britain and America share. When I moved to this country, the new holidays were ideas with no emotional associations. I’m not big on celebrations, and they still don’t move me much, with one exception: Thanksgiving. Firstly, it’s relatively noncommercial if you don’t count Black Friday kicking off the Christmas consumer orgasm. But it’s the coming together of people that I find wonderful. It extends beyond the usual crowd to include waifs and strays. Everyone is invited to come, connect, say grace, and give thanks for the food, the company, and the blessings in life.

We’ve often written about the Three A’s: Acceptance, Appreciation, and Acknowledgment. At Thanksgiving, we offer appreciation and acknowledgment for the blessings of the day. We need to carry that with us into every day and every relationship. It makes you look at the positive things, and you should remember that your world is made up of the things you pay attention to; look at good things, and there will be more goodness in your world.

But the person receiving your thanks also feels good, which makes it a win-win, not a zero-sum game. It doesn’t cost you anything more than paying attention to the things they do. Sure, it may take an effort to act differently. Will this set up expectations in the future? Will they think you’re angling for something? But because it benefits both of you, it’s an easy habit to adopt.

MAUDE: A few days ago, we celebrated my favorite holiday, where we get together with loved ones and express our gratitude and thankfulness. The two intertwined paths that bring these feelings into a living reality are Appreciation and Acknowledgment. Flavoring your relationships with these two creates a soft, gentle energy of peace.

Perhaps you say thank you for a simple act that is just a part of sharing living space, like washing the dishes, or you let a friend know that what they said helped you move forward. Regardless of how unnecessary it is to say, something very special occurs with these small acts. The other person knows that they are being seen. They feel acknowledged.

Maybe your partner tells you they are so glad you are in their day, or a friend shares how much better they felt after talking with you. A warm feeling moves through you to your heart. You feel seen. You feel appreciated.

There’s an inner joy you create when you tell your mother, father, sister, brother how much they mean to you, how important they have been for you. So simple, yet so profound.

When you walk down the street and smile at those who will meet your eyes, or say Hi! as you pass someone, their day softens. They are not invisible. They are not so alone. Someone saw them. They feel acknowledged. They feel seen.

Gratefulness and thankfulness bring forth feelings of love and peace, both to the giver and the receiver. Appreciation and acknowledgment brighten the day, any day for anyone. These are not a requirement of peaceful relationships, but they add a dimension, a sense of goodness that brightens the world.

PHIL & MAUDE: And of course, you too are appreciated, dear readers.

Photo credit: Maude Mayes
Photo note: Thanksgiving dinner

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