The Attitude of Gratitude & Appreciation

Appreciation is the art of seeing the good in others without the ego or pride of the self. Gratitude is a way of appreciating one's effort in performing a task that is beneficial not only for oneself but also for others. Gratitude is a conscious effort with a positive emotion that is expressed when one is grateful for either tangible or intangible efforts. Often, both the terms gratitude' and 'appreciation' are used interchangeably, so that one discards the significance of each term towards the other. To put it simply, one term without the other is meaningless, which is why being grateful to someone without appreciation is an act of hypocrisy.

Gratitude is like a foundation upon which the act of appreciation flourishes. In relationships, as they are so subtle, like that of a silk thread, it is inevitable to invest in such gestures that come out of the sheer effort of each other. This is a purely subtle shift that requires one to be emotionally present and thoughtfully aware when reflecting on the reason for gratitude towards something or someone. It takes conscious effort to generate such feelings of appreciation. To put it simply, as we value the effort of someone, the act becomes divine, which blossoms and increases the value of one's action. It is like nurturing a plant with water and other organic materials for healthy growth.

In a relationship, it gives mixed signals when there is a lack of appreciation. It makes the other person feel as if he or she is taken for granted, ultimately leading to resentment. Feeling valued in a relationship is as important as one's presence in the relationship. An act of unappreciation makes the other person feel unsafe and confused about the value he or she adds to the relationship. This is the beginning of relationship conflicts, low self-esteem, a lack of motivation, and emotional abuse. This problem probes one's worth and questions one's commitment and dedication to the relationship. I am cautiously analyzing whether such unappreciation is a byproduct of one's ego. If so, it is high time that one does a soul-search to understand the subtle connection to keep the relationship smooth and going, or else, be ready to lose the loved ones. The choice is ours!