Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.
Voltaire
Welcome back to our Co-Creative Mandalas blog!
Each month, we share insights, inspiration, and all the ways the cycles of the Great Mandala uplift and support you. We draw upon the metaphors and messages of each season to explore and celebrate our individual and collective journeys toward Freedom.
The Co-Creative Mandalas have a vibration that represents something about the natural world and the energy in the universe at this current time.
This month's mandala is Appreciation
Happy Season of Giving Thanks!
If I haven't said this enough, please know how grateful I am to have you as part of The Co-Creative Mandala community. We wouldn't exist without you. I appreciate your likes, comments, shares, emails, and emojis. Together, we're all helping to increase healing and the expression of love in our homes, our communities, and in the world. Thank you.
My purpose is to be a resource who supports your journey toward freedom, joyful living, and remembering your wholeness. I hope I have done that even in the smallest of ways this year.
In the northern hemisphere, we're approaching the end of a cycle and a time of harvest, of both physical and spiritual crops. When the seasons shift, my attention turns to life’s ebb and flow--letting go and allowing. Nature shows me the world is always changing. I also experience different seasons in my life.
This time of year marks a time of giving thanks for the blessings and challenges in our life This is the perfect time to reflect on what we're grateful for and make a conscious effort to show appreciation to people in our lives.
Feeling gratitude isn’t just something to experience once a year at Thanksgiving. Counting our blessings is an important part of an everyday routine! Gratitude is a powerful force during the most difficult times.
Expressing gratitude has the power to improve every single area of life. Psychologists have extensively researched gratitude and find it fosters joy, abundance, and is among the main focuses of positive psychology. Evidence also suggests that people who regularly practice gratitude tend to be healthier, more resilient, and less depressed.
Gratitude is closely linked to appreciation. Saundra Schock,
helps shed light on the similarities and differences. Most people use gratitude and appreciation interchangeably. I know I did before researching this blog post. Most dictionaries define gratitude as the quality of being thankful and a readiness to show appreciation.
In other words, gratitude is more of a feeling or mindset. And appreciation is action based on feelings of gratitude. Gratitude is the foundation that allows appreciation to flourish. Appreciation is recognizing and acknowledging the good in someone or something.
The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.
The Dalai Lama
According to Linda Fitch, Shaman and Coach, although similar, appreciation has a higher vibration than gratitude. The state of appreciation has a higher frequency. In fact, love and appreciation share the same vibrational essence. The state of appreciation and love share the same vibrational frequency. The vibrational frequency of appreciation connects you to your soul…and to Source.The subtle shift in mindset from gratitude to appreciation requires presence, reflection, and action that acknowledge who and what we're grateful for.
When we cultivate appreciation, it shifts our focus and opens up endless possibilities. In the realm of personal growth, appreciation is like a nurturing soil for seeds of self-love and acceptance. Appreciation is expansive; when we extend and receive it, our compassion for self and others grows.
I believe that appreciation is a fundamental human need. We all need to feel appreciated, seen, and valued. We all need to know that we're important in other people's lives. Appreciation helps us see our own (and others') strengths, recognize our progress, and embrace our imperfections with compassion. By appreciating ourselves and each other for who we are, we create space for growth, healing, transformation, belonging and connection.
Appreciation is like a secret treasure chest of happiness that we all possess within ourselves. It has the power to hold a world of joy and contentment. But how do we cultivate this power? Well, fret not, for I have some practical tips up my sleeve.
Let us awaken and feel alive with joy and appreciation for the gift of this life.
Brendon Burchard
I recently attended a workshop about showing appreciation in the workplace. I took the 5 Languages Quiz and discovered that I have a strong preference for receiving appreciation from words of affirmation (verbally and in writing) and tangible gifts.
The workshop was based on the principles found in Gary Chapman's books, The 5 Languages of Love and The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace which give insights into how relationships in families and in the workplace flourish. In his research and experience with clients, he noticed that patterns of giving and receiving love and appreciation emerged and meaningful connections are deepened with specific ways of expressing love and appreciation. He developed five key ways to express love and appreciation:
*Words of Affirmation
*Quality Time
*Acts of Service
*Tangible Gifts
*Physical Touch
Appreciation can be shown using one or more of the 5 Languages. He also discovered the importance of knowing one's language preference.
How do you like to be appreciated? Think of a time when someone appreciated you. The time when can be from a friend, family member, or colleague. Describe how the person showed you appreciation, i.e., Words, Time, Service, a Gift, and/or Physical Touch. How did you feel? What did you notice in your body?
You're likely to express appreciation in the ways that you prefer receiving appreciation. According to Karl Moore it's the one we're best at giving. He goes on to say that appreciation is most meaningful when we show it in the way that the person prefers receiving it. Once you've learned the 5 languages, stretch yourself, discover how others like to receive appreciation.
Appreciation is like a secret treasure chest of happiness that we all possess within ourselves. It has the power to offer a world of joy and freedom. Appreciation is the key to shifting energy from constriction to expansion. Do you appreciate whatever happens? Can you show appreciation for the highest good of all, including yourself? Can you see this adventure called life through the eyes of appreciation?
This Co-Creative Mandala, "Appreciation" is from a photo of staghorn sumac (symbolizes expansion) and is associated with the root, sacral, heart, throat and crown chakras. It reminds us to appreciate all life's blessings--even if it's hard to see the gift in the moment. Live in appreciation for being alive - being here this moment, in this body, on this earth.
Appreciation transforms your life,
moment by moment.
Appreciation Exercise
Intention:
The real power of the exercise is the intention you place behind it. Start your day with gratitude and by setting the intention that you are dedicating time for self-care, to allowing Appreciation and awakening to Freedom. Create a space in your experience into which a spirit of Appreciation can emerge.
Why choose Appreciation?
Connecting to this dimension allows you clear access to the wisdom and support of your guides, your power animals, your angels. Appreciation gives you a direct link to Source. When you step into the flow of Source…living in this state of appreciation…you are connected to the sacred.
The Appreciation Exercise:
Allow yourself plenty of time to complete this exercise. You can use this exercise throughout the day and the weeks and months ahead. Remember, as you co-create this exercise, be gentle with yourself as you discover what nurtures and sustains you.
Before you begin the exercise:
There are two parts to this exercise. You'll need paper, pen, pencil, color crayons, colored pencils, and/or a journal. I invite you to write, draw, color, and/or create music that reflects your experiences as you complete each step.
Preparation:
Invest time toward moving into stillness.Create your sacred space. Light a candle. Create an altar that contains items that bring you joy, delight, and peace. Include items that reflect the season--fall leaves, colorful flowers, gourds.
Take a few deep breaths to ground & center.
When you are ready, invite any subtle colleagues, allies, your guides and helpers to join you in your sacred space. Wait a moment for that connection and alliance to form.
Part 1: Power of Mandala Meditation
Incorporating mandala meditation into your routine gives added support to your journey towards Appreciation. Mandalas are sacred geometric patterns that can help focus the mind, induce a sense of calm, and unlock deeper levels of self-awareness.
Step 1: Sit comfortably, read and reflect on the Kindness mandala description and message. Let your gaze fall gently on the mandala. Take a few moments to observe its intricate details and patterns. Then, gently close your eyes and bring the image to your mind's eye. As you visualize the mandala, allow your attention to rest on each shape and color, observing, without judgment, any thoughts,
emotions, or sensations that arise. Use your breath as an anchor, returning to it whenever you find yourself getting distracted.
Step 2: Ask yourself: What message does the mandala have for me? What does it want me to know? How can I incorporate Appreciation into the mandala of my life?
Continue this practice for at least 10 minutes, gradually increasing the duration as you become more comfortable.
Step 3: Journal about any thoughts, feelings, or insights you have.
Part 2: Cultivating Appreciation
Step 1 - Gratitude Practice
Expressing gratitude is a powerful way to invite Appreciation into our lives. Gratitude is the foundation of Appreciation. Take a few moments to reflect on the blessings and abundance that have come your way so far this year. Write down at least five things you're grateful for, whether it's the support of loved ones, the beauty of nature, the opportunities you've been given, or the challenges you've faced.
Step 2: Self Appreciation
Create an Appreciation List of 10 things, qualities, attitudes, etc. that you appreciate about yourself. Add to it daily; read it often.How will you show your appreciation for yourself?
Step 3 : Create an Appreciation List
Think of people in your life that you appreciate. Be specific, i.e., what did they do or say that you appreciate about them? Example: I'm grateful for your friendship. I appreciate that you reach out in texts, on the phone, or in emails to let me know
you're thinking about me.
Step 4: Create an Action List
Review your Appreciation List and choose one person that you'd like to show appreciation. Think about how they might like to receive appreciation. If you don't know, it's okay to do some sleuthing to find out. Show your appreciation using one or more of the 5 languages. Continue choosing a person on your list.
In the days and weeks ahead, continue to keep a journal that includes your gratitude list, self-appreciation, appreciation for others, and the ways you show your appreciation for yourself and others.
By combining the power of appreciation and gratitude, we elevate our emotional well-being, foster deep connections with ourselves and others, and embrace a transformative mindset that allows for the evolution of consciousness. So, let us embrace both appreciation and gratitude and create a life filled with joy, purpose, and freedom.
Wishing you the blessings of the season.
Peace and joy
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