The Attitude of Gratitude

appreciation
əpriːʃɪˈeɪʃ(ə)n,-sɪ-/
noun
recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something

synonyms: valuing, respect, prizing, cherishing, treasuring, admiration, regard, esteem, high opinion

I've recently started to notice that few people are grateful or appreciative. I see many people doing so much for others, silently, out of the goodness of their hearts, and no one stops to even acknowledge the good deed, let alone say thank you.

That, in turn, makes people not want to do nice things anymore. For there's only so long someone can go without hearing a single word of appreciation or even acknowledgement of a good deed.

People can only go so long giving to those who only expect, before they say 'no more' or 'enough is enough'. H. Jackson Brown said: "Don't forget, a person's greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated." No matter how much we try to tell ourselves it doesn't matter, and to not let it get us down, the truth is, it hurts. It hurts more than we realise when we try to do something nice for someone and it isn't appreciated.

Appreciation makes people want to work harder, to do more good deeds, strive for even more excellence. When people refuse to even acknowledge a positive action or kind words spoken, it makes kindness dwindle. People are far less likely to offer to do something nice for someone again when it goes unacknowledged or people express ingratitude. Unappreciation breeds resentment, creating a vicious cycle where good deeds fast disappear and negative emotions take hold.

Another one of my aims for 2015 is to express more gratitude and be more appreciative of the good things people do for me, no matter how big or small. And, in turn, to do more good things for others.