SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION

A client told me that he had spent his whole life trying to make his father proud of him. He had followed the same profession and the same football team and even lived in the same street. Although this man was married with his own children he was always waiting for his father to acknowledge his achievements.

When his father became very ill he spent a lot of time at his bedside. One day, not long before he died, the old man said to his son: 'My boy, you have always been a marvellous son and I am so proud of you.' My client said that he broke down and burst into tears as he heard the words that he had been waiting to hear all his life.

Don't hold back on your appreciation for people. Give credit where it is due and enjoy the feeling this brings you. Don't withold your love because you feel embarrassed. Life is short; don't wait until it is too late to tell others just how much they really mean to you.

EXERCISE:    Showing your appreciation

• Who do you appreciate in your life? Name these people.
• Have you told them how you feel?
• Tell them at the very next chance you get. (Don't expect them to know how you feel; they won't know unless you tell them.)

When we show our love and appreciation for others their self-esteem rises and so does ours! Whenever you help other people to feel good about themselves you will also feel better about yourself.