Articles
Appreciation is a Verb
Welcome to The Appreciation Station Where Appreciation Is A Verb
It was a beautiful Sunday evening and I had just set out for the park with my children. We enjoy these walks together. It's just us and the fresh air. No background noises from televisions, computers or cell phones. On this particular evening, as we were heading towards the entrance to the park we approached an elderly couple leaving the park. They greeted us with a friendly "Good evening" and we did the same. As I looked at the gentleman, I noticed that he was wearing a cap with a memorial logo of some sort on it and without really pausing I asked him if he had been in the service. He replied that he had spent two years in the Army and that his daughter had presented him with the cap many years ago. I smiled at him and said "Thank you for serving our country. We appreciate your service". I glanced over at my kids who quickly said their "Thank you", as well. This all happened very quickly and I was just about to continue on our walk when I noticed a change in the gentleman's expression. I stopped and watched him take his wife's hand in a tight grip as he said to me, "No one's ever done that before; ever thanked me." I could only reply, "Well, that's a shame and take care" as we headed into the park.
Appreciation is a verb. Who do you appreciate? How do they know it? Parents play a huge role in teaching their children to behave as they do. Children learn their values, their way of "being" in the world by watching their parents every day. There are countless opportunities to notice and appreciate the efforts and actions of those around us. Watching you put appreciation into action is the absolute best way for them to learn to do it themselves. Your being a good and attentive teacher for your children will, in the end, help them become people who will one day do as they should and behave as they ought, even when you're not there. They will take the standards you have set for them in the home out into the world where they can make positive changes for themselves and others.
We, at The Appreciation Station, would like to invite you to share with us how you appreciate the people and things in your life. Remember, Appreciation Is A Verb.
