BY SHIMONA SHASHI 

 

 

TO APPRECIATE- dictionary meaning: “Recognise full worth of”. An easy verb but has got great implications in our lives. To appreciate, to say something nice about someone/something is a simple act. However it has the magical power to bring immense joy and positivity to a human’s life. You never know how a word of kindness and appreciation could be the only ray of hope for any person surviving his gray days. When I talk about appreciation, I definitely do not mean to shower meaningless fancy words to the people around just to please them. To appreciate is to understand the true worth and the output delivered. To start with, appreciation could start with something as minimal as recognising that the person in front has got the intention to help us.

 

This means a lot. Admiring a person’s simplest act and expressing admiration sounds simple. But I believe in a pragmatic scenario, it would take immense courage for a person to appreciate another. It’s basically a situation where we step back for a moment, observe and realise the goodness of someone- no matter how minuscule or magnificent it could be. And be bold enough to express the same. In today’s fast paced world, where instant feedback and constructive criticism prevails; why not blend a pinch of appreciation to our conversations. Criticise with kindness. I am a firm believer that “it’s not what you say that matters but how you say makes all the difference”. To add- appreciate in public and criticise in private.

 

Even for an average performer, give precise feedback, motivate to improve, appreciate the intention and efforts put in. And witness the magic unfold. No one is perfect, but each one of us is fine and beautiful in our own unique ways. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. So, let’s be kinder and softer with our lens. Take a moment to acknowledge the virtues in people around us and be heroic enough to say it out loud. Appreciation is a reciprocating activity. Not only you spread love but also absorb positivity, thus creating an enriching ecosystem for one and all. “Appreciate karke to dekho, acha lagta hain…!!!”