Appreciation

Why do I want to be shown appreciation? It seems the decision to yes/not help someone is done before the appreciation is shown, so it is a choice coming from a place from care or responsibility. Although maybe the expected appreciation is weighed into the decision of whether or not to help out. This actually makes more sense and shows why we would be disappointed if we were not shown the appropriate level of expected appreciation.

I think everyone likes feeling appreciated, and often will either be unhappy they did something or even resentful if they weren't shown appreciation. I don't like to admit this though, and I think few people do.

Saying 'thank you' is one of the first things children are taught, and it can even be disheartening and shocking to do something for a child and not receive a thank you.

But saying thank you and feeling grateful are different things. It seems children are talk the idea of saying words of gratitude without being taught what gratitude is. It's so much easier for us to say 'thanks' than to contemplate gratitude every time someone does something for us.

I wonder if letting go of this 'need' for appreciation will open my heart and add to others' live more.