THE POWER OF APPRECIATION

Two Things determines the Quality of our Lives –Prov. 12:14

•OUR WORDS

•OUR ACTIONS

Food for Thought
•“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”
Frederick Keonig
•“The best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without one.”
   Oscar Wilde

What is Appreciation?

True gratefulness comes from a conscious decision to recognize your blessings, coupled with the emotional feelings that accompany a thankful heartGratitude is expressing thanks for gifts we have received.

The Wonders of Appreciation
•“Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well” -Voltaire
•“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.” -MelodieBeatty
•It exemplifies the positive in human behavior and provide us with a positive charge that boosts our emotional balance
Examples of GRATEFUL PEOPLE
•Ruth & Boaz: Ruth 2:10
•Israel & Jonathan: 1 Sam.14: 45
•David & Mephiboseth: 2 Sam. 9:1
•David & Hanun(because of his father): 2 Sam.10:2
•David & Barsillai: 1 Kg. 2:7
•An Ungrateful person will die sooner or later Ex. 21:15

Research into Appreciation
•Psychologists Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough point out that gratitude is the"forgotten factor" in happinessresearch.
•They pointed out the benefits of expressing gratitude

Benefits of Expressing Appreciation
•It dissolves your worries and anxieties.
•Better physical health
•Improved mental alertness
•Emotional stability
•Higher level of psychological well-being
•Grateful people attract each other
•It transforms your obstacles into opportunities.
•It can bring you more abundance

What Should you Appreciate?
•Your God for Making you the way you are
•Your relationships
•Yourself
•Your present, Your Past & Your Future
•Your challenges


Cultivating an Attitude of Appreciation
•Remember to thank God for His blessings each day.
–“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?” William A. Ward
•Cultivate appreciative vocabulary: Please, Thank you , I am sorry and Excuse me
•Notice when others do kind things for you, show gratitude by action or words
•Show thankfulness for even the little things others do for you
•Encourage someone with a compliment


Cultivating an Attitude of Appreciation
•Verbalize what you are grateful for when you feel like complaining about life
•Surprise your family (or friends) with little gifts or treats to show you thought of them
•No grumbling about minor annoyances around the house
•Do special things to cherish time with your family
•Help someone out without them having to ask you
–Watch for someone in need


Conclusion
•If you want to live more you must master the art of appreciating the little, everyday blessings of life. This is not altogether a golden world, but there are countless gleams of gold to be discovered in it if we give our minds to them. –Porter
•God has two dwellings; one in heaven, and the other in meek and thankful hearts.-Walton

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