Appreciation

As the magic of the holiday season approaches, I am reminded about the importance of appreciation. I received this message in my inbox today:

If we don’t feel that we are receiving from the Light indefinitely more than we are giving, then appreciation is an area we need to focus on in our spiritual work. We can also be certain that no matter how challenging this work may seem, the rewards are greater than we can possibly imagine.

When we are focused on what we don’t have we start losing appreciation. And when we lose appreciation we can also lose what we do have.

A person with a true desire for life has gratitude for what he has, yet he still craves more. We were meant to have it all. A person with authentic desire knows he has been given wonderful gifts, but he also knows they can disappear at any moment. He feels full and incomplete at the same time.

The lesson to remember is:

Our connection to ourselves, others, and ultimately to the Light of the Creator begins and ends with appreciation.

This is something we already know. I simply wish to remind you of the utter importance of constantly fighting to remain in gratitude. And make no mistake it is a struggle, because our natural instinct is to look for the negative. It takes effort to not compare ourselves with others, and to not feel lack. It’s easy to erupt in anger and self-pity resulting from jealousy or insecurity, but far more difficult to wage the internal battle against ego (which is the root cause of resentment, doubt, and you can fill in the rest.)

It’s not just that we should strive for appreciation of things and experiences. People who help us along the way are also channels for the Light. If we forget them, then we are cutting off our connection to the Source of all that is good in our life. Even if it was 20 years ago, it’s important to remember people who were there for us along our journey. When we are busy looking at the good others have done for us, our attention shifts away from what we don’t have.

All of us are blessed with various gifts. We need to take time to be grateful for these gifts, so they will remain with us. Through appreciation we can avoid feeling that we are missing out on something, thereby wasting or losing what we do have. The feeling of abundance creates more abundance.

This week, take a step back. Develop greater appreciation by imagining what life would be like if the things, people, qualities, abilities you do have were taken away. Every time you find yourself fixated on the glittering lives in the pages of People, or the shiny new toys your neighbor has, bring back your focus. Come back home to yourself, to your life, and look around.

What if these things and these people weren’t here tomorrow? How much would you miss them?

Happy holidays to you and yours!

With love,

S