Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.  ~ Voltaire

Gratitude grows when we appreciate others.  It’s has a rebounding mechanism that gets triggered and reverberates within our hearts and the hearts of others with whom we share gratitude and appreciation.

People are mirrors to us and what we see in others we have within ourselves.  Whatever shows up is a definite example for our inward disposition.  Often it lies just beneath the surface one step outside our awareness.  It could be something we used to do that we still hold against ourselves and haven’t forgiven.  At times we don’t acknowledge we have the trait or skill.  It’s easier and safer to admire it in others than to use it in our own lives.  What are you noticing in others lately?  

At any given time we have the ability to shift our perspective and consciousness by intentionally noticing the outstanding qualities in others.  It’s a simple shift that creates huge dividends.

Try this experiment and notice what happens:  Think of a loved one, it can be anyone, it doesn’t matter.  The results are faster if you focus on someone you will be coming in contact with soon.  However, this approach also works on those long distance as well.  Only think wonderful thoughts as you hold space for this person.  What are the qualities you enjoy most in this person?  Really focus all your heart and soul on the gratitude and appreciation you feel for this person and the traits they elicit to you and the world.  See in your minds-eye these qualities growing and impacting not just you but everyone this person comes in contact with.  Think back on the “Faberge” commercial with the tag line “and they told two friends, and they told two friends and so on, and so on.”  This is an example of how the reverberation and impact we and others have upon the world occurs.

What we focus on grows and what you think, feel and visualize about your loved one expands and increases not just within you because you are the thinker and feeler but also for them as well.  

The last step of the experiment is to take notice of what happens the next time you see or talk with this person.  How are they or you different?

This exercise can also be modified and used with strangers.  Try this the next time you are in a public place.  Airports, bus stations, parks, grocery stores etc are great places to experiment with this exercise.  Close your eyes and visualize yourself knocking upon your heart.  Your heart opens and inside is a wealth of love, smiles and sunshine.  It feels good to see all this amazing, positive potential to share with others.  Open your eyes as well and target a certain individual within your sites and beam this love to this person as if they were your own family member such as a grandparent, parent, uncle, aunt, brother, sister, son or daughter.  Send them loving thoughts and hold them in highest regard.  Notice what happens in the short time that you interact with them even but a brief passing, glance or exchange.  What happens?

Please consider sharing your experience here on this blog below in the comments section for others to appreciate and be grateful.  Let the impact and reverberating appreciation begin!