Appreciation
Appreciation is defined two ways. “Gratitude or thankful recognition”, and “An increase or rise in the value”.
Type one is the one we typically think of when we are talking about appreciating people and liking what they are doing for us. ”I appreciate all that my wife does around the house.” “I appreciate the waiter bringing my food quickly.” ”I appreciate the sacrifices my parents made to raise me.” Stuff like that. I think most people would have a pretty good grasp on what it feels like to truly “appreciate” someone in this way. Whether we show it or not is another thing, but I think we can all at least understand the idea.
Type two is defined in the value that we put on things. The “rise in value”. ”My house has appreciated twenty-five percent in five years.” ”This baseball card is appreciating more and more every year.” Things that we place value on. What is somethings “worth” and how is that appreciating.
I’ve been up since about four-thirty thinking about the word “appreciate” and I started to realize that though there are two very different ways that I have viewed this word, if I combine the meanings it takes on a completely different shape in my mind
I know, without a doubt, that I don’t express my appreciation to people as much as I should and I have realized that it’s one of the most frustrating things to me to feel under appreciated. I think we would all hate to feel like we are doing something of worth for someone and not even feel their “type one” appreciation. Let alone their acknowledgment of “type two” appreciation.
Here’s the kicker for me, (Please don’t think that I feel like I am reinventing anything here. It’s early and I’m just typing as I’m thinking) I think I would appreciate what people did for me more if I looked at it in the “type two” way. What I mean by that is simply, if I can find the value in what someone is doing, I can then appreciate it more than if I am just thankful for them doing it. Does that make sense?
If I see the value of what my wife does around the house every day, I can look at that with different eyes. Not in a monetary sense obviously, but more in the health and well-being of our home sense. If I can get past simply being grateful for what she is doing and see the real worth of it, I can appreciate it differently. The same goes with employees or co-workers. If I can see the real value of what they are doing to better a company or product, it’s helps me appreciate what they are doing more than just being thankful.
I don’t know if this is anything new to you, but to me and my quest to “appreciate” and be “appreciated” this hit me differently this morning. Try that today. Try to view the things that people are doing for you as valuable, and appreciate them in a way that acknowledges their worth. I wonder if we will see things differently.
What do you think?
I think you’re right, Brody. So many times i go through a day, appreciating what those around me do but only on/in a ‘surface’ manner. But if, like you said, we dig a little deeper, we can begin to see just how much the job or task they are doing has actually helped our jobs, lives, etc run smoother. Not everybody can do what they do, as well as they do it. Even if the task appears menial—It still helped me out and in turn I could focus better on what it is I do or am doing.
In short, I think I will try to look at those around me today a little bit different too and find the real ‘value’ in each task.
Thanks….
Brody,
I hear you man. 100% Thanks for challenging me today. I really needed that.
I like it, Brody.
Good stuff Brody. I was blessed to read this today. I can see it as one of the practical applications of something the Lord has been speaking to me a lot lately. If I look at others (no matter WHO they are) through His eyes, then I will begin to see them as He does. That is, my feelings and responses toward them will begin to mirror God’s. Whoa. He lovingly reminds me that although this is my choice to faithfully make… it is impossible to accomplish through sheer determination on my own. Rather, as I completely abandon myself to His perfect love, He will touch my spirit and open my eyes to what each person REALLY is – in Him. My head knows this is straight-forward enough, but my heart says…Wow! Thanks so much for posting this.
God bless – Melody
I think that’s brilliant.
Melody, that’s what our speaker talked about Sunday.
totally makes sense. and not only that, but then by “type one” appreciating, it’s like the love and respect “type two” appreciates…it increases, and then also in turn encourages others to continue serving etc… and over time, you’ve created a loving, encouraging, sacrificial environment.
also, the photo of one of your boys on that “what I’m seeing” sidebar…he’s on the couch with a white shirt/ (tank top? what do you call it when it’s a little boy…) …is adorable! you have beautiful kiddos!! And you’re teaching them all of these things! Keep up the good work! It’s …(can’t help it..sorry)…appreciated! You’re forming good men of God!
–
wonderful thoughts. thank you.
That was really encouraging.
I thought I’d throw in that the word “worship” comes from the old english word “worthship” which means to recognize the worth (or value) in something.
Brody, I think this post is awesome and has given me much to “chew on”, and don’t get me wrong I’ll definitely give this some thought, but I can’t get past the fact that you think this deeply at 4:30 in the morning! Haha Now that’s something that I can appreciate, ’cause I can’t function at all in the early morning. God bless you man.
definitely something to ponder. i have the hardest time giving encouragement and affirmation to others. i always feel fake. i am pretty sure i need to get over that.
I appreciate you. In the “I value you” kind of way.
Do you think an old piece of gum from one of my old baseball card packs will have appreciated by now more than I appreciated it then…or should I throw it out? I wonder how long it will last if I keep it and what it will be worth in 50 years?
Jon – I would have to say that your piece of gum might be worth more only because of inflation…. although if you had the president sign your piece of gum than it might be worth something.
Probably the only piece of gum ever signed by a president…
I’m like, wow, dude, that’s deeeep. Good stuff! I do a decent job of telling people that I appreciate what they’re doing, but I don’t think I look much at the value that they’re adding by what they do.
Yes, thanking people would take on another level when you thank them for doing the job (their willingness) and thank them for good that they’re doing (their excellence).
Great, great thoughts, Brody.