Article by Kevin L. DeWitt

Want to feel better fast?  This strategy works.  And it’s so simple.  Even better, you can do this at home, at work, with friends, family … with anyone.

 

There is something you can do right now that will make you feel better almost instantly and here’s how to do it…

 

To feel better fast, stop thinking about yourself.  Instead, turn your attention to others.  And when you do this, do something very specific … tell that other person how much you appreciate them.

 

Sounds so simple, doesn’t it?  It works and here’s why.  When you tell someone how much you appreciate them, you make them feel better.  When you make someone else feel better, you also feel better.

 

That’s the secret.  Help others feel better and you’ll feel better – and what better way to make others feel better than by letting them know that you appreciate them!

 

Here are 3 ways to show your appreciate for others and feel better fast: 

 

Appreciate your Boss.

I remember when I was working for a healthcare system in Arizona.  All the staff received an email from the company’s president.  It was nearing the Christmas holidays and the president decided to give everyone an extra day of paid vacation.  Well … I really thought that was great … and I walked over to the president’s office and shook his hand and thanked him.  That put a smile on his face … and it put one on mine too!

 

In some cases you might be the boss – maybe you run your own business.  In that case the best way to appreciate the boss is to do something to nourish you.  Look at what you love to do outside the office and try setting some time aside specifically for that activity … as a present to yourself … as a way to show yourself appreciation.

 

Appreciate Your Neighbor.

My neighbor Mark is a very hard worker and a really handy guy.  He knows his tools and always has great advice for making house repairs, doing landscaping, etc.  Without John life would be much more difficult.  He’s the type of guy that every neighborhood should have because he makes life easier.

 

Mark just loves wine.  So one afternoon I was driving home and I thought, “I’m going to pick up Mark some wine,” and so I did.

 

I remember the look on his face when I gave him the wine just out of the blue.  He was shocked and all I said was, “I really appreciate how you help us out with our house, so here’s a case of wine to show our appreciation.  Thank you so much.”  Mark looked so happy and I felt happy too.

 

Appreciate your Parents.

Whether they are great at showing it or not … your parents love you.  Chances are they have sacrificed for you, and sacrificed many times.  Everyone’s situation is different, and there are as many examples of a parent’s sacrifice are there are parents and children.

 

Here’s one example … think about when you were in school and had very little money and perhaps you borrowed money from your parents to put food on the table and pay the bills.  If this is you, I’m sure you felt a deep appreciation for your parents and you thanked them at the time.  But you can thank them again.  It doesn’t matter how much time has passed.  Try something like this … “Hey mom, I just saw some students at the grocery store and it reminded me of when I had no money in school.  I just wanted to let you know that if I didn’t have money for groceries and living I wouldn’t have been able to finish my degree.  I really appreciate what you did, to put me through University.”

 

If you make that call, or any other call like this one … it will make your parents feel great … and make you feel wonderful as well.

 

These are just a few examples of showing appreciation for people, but there are many others.  How do you show appreciation for the people in your life?

 

“Appreciation is a combination of understanding, quiet amazement, and gratitude. Appreciating something permits its experience and integration.”

-Harry Palmer

 

Photo - Mom (Margaret G. DeWitt) and I, Master’s graduation, U of L, 1991.  Today would have been my mom’s birthday.  Happy birthday and thank you for all of your love…

 

If you liked this article, please share it on del.icio.us, StumbleUpon or Digg. Thanks!