Magnanimous

Sam Keen said..."The more you become a connoisseur of gratitude, the less you are victim of resentment, depression and despair. Gratitude will act as an elixir that will gradually dissolve the hard shell of your ego and transform you into a generous being. The sense of gratitude produces true spiritual alchemy, makes us magnanimous-large souled."

Several days ago I wrote about accepting appreciation, and appreciating one's self. It only makes sense that the blog to follow would be written about giving appreciation. As noted by Keen, resentment, depression and despair are often related to an inability to not only identify with our greatness but by extension the greatness of others. Witnessing something beautiful that someone else has created or done can be an amazing thing, but for many it can be difficult. When we are driven by insecurity and self doubt, we are less able to truly appreciate someone else without feelings of jealousy or a sense of inferiority. This often produces a sense of anger toward the other person, and we may find ourselves attempting to sabotage or take away from their gift. When we begin to appreciate ourselves and our own talents, it becomes easier to see the talents of others as a gift to all rather than a threat to self.

Be wary when you stand to appreciate someone else, that you do not do so as a means of manipulation or "stroking" or in some insincere attempt to be "nice." People will always know when this is the case, and it is usually better to just say nothing at all than to be fraudulent. as Marshall Rosenberg says "express appreciation as a way to celebrate, not to manipulate." And why wouldn't we celebrate one another? Each of us is so amazing, and when someone does something that enhances our life or someone else's, should we not celebrate it and embrace it as the beautiful thing that it is.

Celebrate! celebrate yourself, celebrate others, celebrate the sunny day! Be appreciative and thrive on the way another's gifts or your gifts or the gifts of the world have enriched your life. Then swim in the beautiful connection this will create with other human beings. Watch the other person's face as they realize that your appreciation is sincere and a testament to something they have done in an amazing way, often they then become appreciative of the recognition and will continue great pursuits as will you.

So start thanking people, recognize how another's actions have contributed to your well-being, how your needs have been fulfilled, and how pleasureful it is have to have those needs fulfilled. Stop noticing what's wrong, and start appreciating what's right, it really is a wonderful experience!