Think about a time when someone showed appreciation for you. Maybe your boss thanked you in front of the whole team, and even described how your extra effort made a big difference for the company.
How did you feel?
It felt amazing, didn’t it? And it spurred you to grow even more. You probably felt encouraged to do a good job again the next time, right?
That’s a great example of a powerful principle we can apply in all aspects of our lives, including our exercise and nutrition habits.
What you appreciate … appreciates. What you value then grows in value.
Here are a few more examples.
- When you show your partner how you appreciate certain behavior, he or she is likely to do it more.
- When you lose a few pounds, you’re happy – and also encouraged to continue eating right and going to the gym.
- When you nurture friendships by spending time on them, those people feel good – and the relationships deepen over time.
The word “appreciate” has multiple meanings. It can mean that we simply notice something. Then that we’re thankful for it, and that we place a value on it. But the word also means “to grow,” as in a financial investment.
When you’re living a healthy lifestyle, you feel better emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. The benefits of that investment appreciate and compound – so you, in turn, want to keep eating right and exercising and enjoying all the positive, wonderful gifts around you.
If you want something to appreciate, show how much you appreciate it. Including yourself.
