To know about the series, click Here
Appreciation – An Anecdote
I read a book named ‘How to Make Friends and Influence People’ by Dale Carnegie around 11 years back. Among many useful things, I learnt that ‘Appreciating’ people was important.
I walked into my workplace and saw someone wearing a nice shirt. I went to him, smiled and said,
“Hey! Nice shirt! It looks good on you.”
We were mere acquaintances until then. But from then on, we became friends. I wasn’t bluffing when I said about the shirt. I felt so and said genuinely.
Why Appreciate?
Many of us see something nice and think to ourselves about how beautiful it is. Something stops us from voicing out our feelings. We know that it gives them immense pleasure when we appreciate them. Yet, somethings like ‘Will they think I’m trying to attract their attention? What if he thinks too highly of himself?’ refrain us from saying it aloud. How will you know the person if you haven’t spoken to him yet?
Besides, the point is to appreciate without expecting anything in return. We do not lose anything by appreciating. So, let us do it. Whether we gain a friendship or more, we will know with time.
Later…
A month after I began to appreciate, I received them in return. People began telling me how I looked beautiful that day, how my dress looked good, how they liked my hairstyle and never to wear that top again, it sucks! 😀 Yeah that too! For, a strong bond had formed.
The place rang with appreciations and mockery and we had become one huge family. I don’t take all the credits. Surely not. But, the appreciation part, the difference was right there before my eyes. 🙂
If you want to be a part of this series, you can take this up, write a post on the same, spread the word and feel free to use the image above. Let us spread smiles together.
Adding this to my 100 Happy Days Challenge – Day 83 because happiness is doing your share to spread smiles.
A Few Handpicked Things in Life 