Reven Concepts is a coaching company that emphasizes mindset. We have led the effort to bridge the gaps between limits and possibilities in people.
With the holiday season now behind us, it allows us to reflect on our blessings. We can appreciate all our loved ones and the year we just had, no matter how difficult or challenging it was. Take some time to appreciate how fortunate you are to have a roof over your head and clothes to wear. Whatever it is you decide to reflect upon and appreciate, cherish it. There is a lack in society for taking out time in the day to appreciate the blessings received. In this blog, I want to make people aware of all the good they have in their life and to appreciate what they have without comparing themselves to their neighbors.
One of the biggest things we should appreciate is our career and livelihood. Many people wake up each morning and moan and groan about going to work. On the other hand, some people wake up and do not have a job to go to. They are worried about how they will make ends meet this month and would love any type of job. Now you might be in a great place right now, and that is all the more reason to take time out and count your blessings in appreciation for all you have. So many of us look at what others have and immediately compare or become jealous of what they have and what we lack. There is no need for anyone else’s approval when it comes to what is in our life. You should be proud of what you have because, in someone else’s eyes, it is exactly what they dream they had.
In my T-U-S 9 blog, I spoke about appreciation, but today I want to go deeper into what appreciation is, especially after this holiday season. Many people around the world suffered last year in 2020. They lost their livelihoods and loved ones and have been struck a blow that many will not be able to recover from. The truth is that bad news and hardship have the power to crush your dreams, goals, and aspirations for many years to come. The people who have lost everything will have a difficult time getting back what they lost. However, that doesn’t mean they cannot appreciate the lessons they learned along the way. If they lose their business, then they can rebuild from the ground up quicker because they have the knowledge and wisdom from starting the first business. If they lose a loved one, then they can appreciate the time they spent with them or come to a realization of how precious life is. The blessing of being alive and able to remember the things lost and people gone can be bittersweet and be a reminder for us to make the most out of each day.
Over the holiday week, I saw so many people smiling, dressed up, and around people they cared for. Some even took pictures of all of the gifts they received for the holidays. Their world appeared to be complete without desire in all of their posts, but I saw something different in the comments. People would congratulate them on how lucky they were, and some even said that they were jealous. Now, I do not think that this caused hate or turmoil in any of the relationships, but instead, what it did was create an illusion in the mind of the person who wrote the comment on how their life is lacking. When people start to compare what other people have and what they lack will oftentimes create a negative mindset. That thinking of what we lack can be harmful to our self-esteem because we may fall into a mindset where what we have we cannot attain. We start to wish we had their life/luxuries, and those hopes and wishes deter the actions that will get us to a similar place in life.
Countless people desire many material things each day that they don’t need. Right now, many people want a new Tesla when they have a newer car that works fine right now. They must have seen an ad, or their neighbor Doug next door just purchased a new one, and now they have the urge to get one too. Keeping up with the Jones is a surefire recipe for disaster. If you are in a constant battle to show off and outdo another person who has no stake in your life, then you will find yourself in a hole so deep that you cannot get out. People buy things to impress the people that do not matter to them. They get expensive cars to show off to friends and strangers who have no stake in their life. They buy expensive clothes to cover up what’s on the inside and to stay trending. We have lost the appreciation for what we have and are comfortable with. Many have created a life where what people say about them has more power than what they say or believe themselves.
One of the main reasons people go beyond their lifestyle is because they are seeking attention. Now, I know that is not the case for everyone. Some of the more expensive brands are more durable and comfortable than other leading brands, and that is a great reason to purchase an item or product. However, when you start to relay that your material things have a certain amount of power, for example, a status symbol – then you might be in the realm of desire. I was watching a Dave Ramsey video the other night, and he was going on a rant about his rich friend driving a beat-up car. The first thing that came to my mind was why is Dave worried about his friend buying a more expensive car, but then I realized that his point of view is that a car is a status symbol. Dave does not care if you drive a $200 car and you are broke. However, he does care if you drive a $50,000 car and you are broke. The lesson here is that Dave’s Friend is content and appreciates the car he has, so there should be no reason to inquire why he does not have a more expensive car, given how wealthy he is. Why can’t we be like Dave’s friend when it comes to the things and people in our life? We do not need the latest and greatest to be happy or successful. What needs to happen first is an acknowledgment of how lucky we are in the areas we can count blessings.
At the end of the day, we need to be people we can be proud of on our deathbeds. As morbid as it may seem, we have to look that far in advance to plan our future. I am almost certain that you will not be worried about your fancy outfit, gifts, cars, and the people you tried to outdo in your last moments. I believe that those last moments should be cherished thinking about loved ones and all the good you had in your life. Positive thinking about your partner, children, siblings, parents, pets, etc. I know many people are afraid to be alone, so do your best to build a life where you won’t be. Create a life full of love and appreciation for others. I find that to be the strongest magnet to attract and keep people in your life. It is not about money, fame, or status. It is about how you see a person and how you treat them.
In closing, there is no better time than now to appreciate what you have in your life. You were blessed with so many gifts and opportunities that can easily be cascaded by the busyness of life. Take some time today and write down a list of three to five things you appreciate in your life. When you find yourself in a mindset of desire and lust, remember that what you have right now is good. Now, you might be striving for “great,” and that is also fine. The secret to what you can attain and maintain in your life is the amount of work and proper action you take to get it. Being jealous and trying to outdo someone will not create a lasting appreciation for what you have. Be sure that what you reach for is because you chose it. You are the reason for all you have and will have in your life. Do not waste your time running someone else’s race because it will lead you nowhere. Where you can go today through the appreciation for what you have will be the key that opens the doors to your most desired places in life.
Until then,
Michael Rearden
Founder of Reven LLC
The Author
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1 thought on “Appreciation”
SO TRUE! The universe will shower you with blessings when you are grateful for what you have.Life is not measured by how many breathes we take but how many Moments take are breath away.Love what you have.
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