If I told you Appreciation was magic, would you believe me? Well, it is.
In Usui's poem, he says, "Be Filled with Gratitude." In fact, the Japanese words in this line can be interpreted as either gratitude or appreciation. I feel that both are important, and both hold their own gifts of wisdom, but today I'm thinking about Appreciation.
Appreciation is a gift. It lifts us up. When we look upon another and share our deep appreciation for who they are, we give them the gift of seeing them. People need to be seen and witnessed in our true work. When we feel understood on that level, we blossom. We grow. We come into deeper flow with the all-pervading energy that unites all of life.
Being appreciated opens our hearts, expands our minds, and fills us with deeply abundant energy. We are then able to take this energy and do even greater things in line with our life's work. As long as that energy is not derailed into life-draining tasks we move forward.
Appreciation opens not only the receiver, but the giver. We've talked about anger and worry, and how these two teammates create cracks in our energy container, draining us of the energy we need in order to do our work. However, when we bring mindfulness to anger and worry, we can begin to repair those cracks. Then this is where appreciation comes in. . . Perhaps in our cracking we have also shriveled or narrowed. Perhaps we can not hold joyful or engaged energy in the same way because of the scars of our own repetitive anger and worry, or emotional experiences. In this case, Appreciation becomes the salve.
When we do the work of appreciating another, we release an energy within ourselves in which we connect briefly to deep truth without illusion. In this moment, our appreciation for others stretches, softens, and opens us from the inside, retraining us from within for how to hold uplifting energy again. In this way, appreciation is deeply healing to those who practice sharing their appreciation.
Let me say it again because it's beautiful! When we share appreciation for others, the act of connecting with deep appreciation is in fact the act of connecting with our own enlightened state! This happens because in order to connect with a deep sense of appreciation for another, we have to step outside of our own process long enough to witness the magical living and wondrous choices of our fellow beings. In doing so, we release ego. Our heart chakra lights up, and then everything lights up in a flash.
If you ever wondered why it felt so good to be truly appreciated, now you know!
I have a few more thoughts about appreciation but it would be unfortunate if you spent too much time reading on the computer! It would be far better for you to spend the time with yourself. Give your mind and heart a chance to experience the deep healing of appreciation (doesn't this sound like reiki?). Take a few deep breaths, close your eyes, and think of something for which you are deeply appreciative. I will also do it right now with you . . .
The longer we hold this deep state of appreciation, the more we are able to connect to the source of love, and then it fills us up. in this way we can heal our cellular imprints, and even begin the healing of our muscle memory. . .
When we are in this state of appreciation, we focus, absorb and process more powerfully because we are open. . .
Reflect on that for just a moment. And when you open your eyes, choose to do something great with your next few minutes, because you are now more focused, absorbent, and heightened. You may even still be firmly in the seat of your own enlightenment. Like Buddha. Or Jesus. Or. . .you!
Since you are, what will you do now?
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© 2011 Dailey Little. You are welcome to reproduce this article provided you do so in its entirety, including the copyright and this blurb: "Dailey Little is a Reiki Master and active practitioner. She teaches Reiki & other fun stuff through her private practice in Santa Rosa, CA. Join her joyful community for ReikiShares, Free Clinics, and eco-activism by signing up at her website, www.SantaRosaReiki.com"
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