A little gratitude
Editor’s note: Mike Masterson is taking a break from his column today. The original version of this column was published Dec. 31, 2013.
When it comes to the matter of expressing genuine yet fundamental appreciation for everything others do for us, I’ve an observation to share in the wake of Christmas.
I’ve come to believe that a lack of appreciation lies at the heart of so many problems. Failing to appreciate the gestures others make to enhance or improve other’s lives, or simply prompt a smile, falls second only to a lack of respect in causing hard feelings between people.
Think about it. How many times have you as a parent, grandparent, spouse or friend gone out of your way to help another, or make their life a bit better or easier only to be met with a jaw-dropping lack of appreciation?
In this atmosphere of entitlement we’ve helped create (often without realizing what the heck we are doing) we’ve too often conditioned those around us to expect, rather than appreciate, what is given. I’m talking about everything from offering one’s time, to giving gifts and making efforts on behalf of others who then fail to show even a hint of gratitude.
Sadly enough, this failure becomes evident at Christmas when expectations are inflated and the entitlement scourge eagerly rears its ugly head in the most apparent ways. Do our children truly appreciate a pile of gifts each, or feel they somehow deserve those and so much more?
It’s particularly ironic to me, considering this is the season of giving rather than taking.
I’m sure I’ve been guilty of causing offense by failing to extend appropriate thanks for everything from meals I’ve enjoyed to invitations to gatherings, to gifts and simply the time and energy another invested in my well-being. How about you, my friends?
One mother and grandmother I know went out of her way for years to send gifts and cards and little messages of genuine affection to her grown children, most of whom never bothered to respond.
Still, she continued expressing affection toward them because her concern and caring were rooted deep inside her rather than any expecting love returned, or even a response. She kept offering her heart until finally wearing down from years of silence and painfully clear lack of appreciation.
Even the most caring person can only endure so much before surrendering to the silence.
How many times have you felt unappreciated when a card or a simple telephone call didn’t arrive as you’d hoped? I suspect the majority of us can relate to such self-centeredness.
I also find myself wondering just what form of cold sliver is wedged inside that makes so many of us supposedly higher-functioning animals fail to properly appreciate everything about our existence, including each other, each healthy breath and so many beautiful sights and sounds.
I once challenged students to admit how many times they’d desperately desired an object only to quickly devalue that thing soon after they acquired it. Every last 18-year-old sheepishly raised hands in confession.
Examples of our abundant lack of gratitude are everywhere. A hardworking single mother I know raised two children to adulthood under difficult circumstances. She always put their needs above her own because that’s what most mothers do. Yet now that her children are grown and ostensibly capable of greater understanding and empathy, they display little compassion or appreciation for all their mother endured. You’d think they would have heightened understanding and gratitude for what she overcame for their well-being.
One writer wisely explained that an attitude of gratitude always lifts one’s altitude. So much wisdom contained in eight words.
I also read this summary from an unknown author: “Every human has a secret craving for appreciation, which has the capability of bringing a sea change in a person in just one day. It’s beneficial for both the persons because a person who is appreciated will enjoy it and make efforts to further hone the skills while the one expressing appreciation acquires the satisfaction of doing a great job of appreciating. Appreciation must be done without the expectation of anything in return, which draws the thin line between appreciation and flattery. When you imagine a situation where you don’t have a particular thing, you tend to appreciate the value of that particular thing. Hence, appreciation is necessary to keep our spirits high and also boost the spirits of others around you.”
With the new year, it seems the appropriate time to dedicate ourselves in what remains of our individual lives to express appreciation to others who’ve extended themselves for us. It’s just not that difficult to say, “I sincerely appreciate you and all you’ve contributed to my own life and well-being.”
What do any of us have to lose, well, except perhaps a touch of ego and pride? Strikes me we surely know by now where each of those traits invariably lead us.