The Power of Appreciation

When you accomplish something, do you pause to acknowledge yourself? 

Do you celebrate with a deep breath? 

A little dance? 

A sweet smile with a pat on your own shoulder and a “nice work!”?

I am guessing no. 

It’s not our nature to appreciate our selves. 

You might even be cringing to consider doing so. 

Our mind says we are “selfish” or worse yet, narcissistic, to bask for a moment in the glow of our accomplishments. To acknowledge our effort, our grit, yes even our sacrifice, with pride.

Yet, it is no less than how we would respond to our child, our friend, or our client. 

Instead we move on without a moment's hesitation to the next task to accomplish, the next mountain to climb. 

But what if…

We didn’t. 

What if instead, it became our nature to pause. 

To stop just long enough to reflect on, and feel, our power. To fill up the tank that we spend all day emptying for others. 

Gratitude practices can be powerful. Research backs this up. But we often miss gratitude for our selves. We don’t even think about it. 

So what would it be like for this month of thanksgiving to consider all the ways in which you bring light to the world… just by being you. 

Just for a moment. 

And feel that sweet smile cross your face with a hand on your heart as you do so. 

So much love and gratitude, 

Caitlin