Appreciation
What you appreciate appreciates
The word appreciate means to increase in value. Some people have a knack for knowing the true worth of things long before their value is revealed.
I have always admired my brother’s impeccable taste in cars. In 1978, he purchased a brand-new Buick Park Avenue, which he has maintained in mint condition inside and out for more than four decades. It has 74,000 original miles and is now considered a classic, which means it has appreciated in value. The longer he keeps it in tip-top condition, the more it appreciates.
What you appreciate appreciates! The same is true for us.
Unity cofounder Myrtle Fillmore spoke words of gratitude for her body and, as a result, experienced a miraculous healing from a terminal illness. By appreciating her body, her body appreciated in value and became the catalyst for the Unity movement.
When we speak words of kindness, love, peace, and joy to ourselves and others, we are looking beyond appearances and seeing through a spiritual lens.
The greater our appreciation, the greater the value in our own eyes of what we appreciate. As it is said, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” The more we appreciate, the more we have to appreciate.
Just Say Thank You
I was in my early twenties when I was first introduced to Unity. One Sunday after service, a congregant complimented what I was wearing. I nervously apologized for the condition of my clothes, pointing out how old they were and some loose threads and a few tears in the material in case she hadn’t noticed.
The seasoned Truth student taught me a great lesson about the power in the words we speak about ourselves, other people, and our possessions.
Her advice was that the next time someone paid me a compliment, my only response should be “thank you.”
She explained that when we call things old, they will soon begin to fall apart. We should always use positive, uplifting words because our words have power.
From then on, I realized that if I were to prosper, I needed to speak words of abundance to everything I have—because what we depreciate depreciates, and what we appreciate appreciates.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
Gratitude in All Circumstances
The key is to consciously seek ways to be grateful in the midst of all circumstances—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Joy can be found in the good times as well as in times of difficulty and challenge. By changing our focus from what we wish we had to an appreciation of what we already have, we set the tone for the abundance we seek.
In the book Acres of Diamonds, author Russell Conwell tells the story of a wealthy farmer who sells his land and all of his possessions, leaves his family, and sets off for distant lands in search of diamonds.
The man who buys the farmer’s land finds a large, shiny rock on the property and learns it is the biggest diamond ever found. He later discovers the property is covered in acres of diamonds. Had the original owner simply appreciated what he had, he would have found what he was looking for right where he was.
Whatever your circumstances, when you begin to appreciate and feel grateful for all that you are and all that you have, you and everything about you will appreciate in your own eyes. And that’s what really counts.
What we appreciate appreciates.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
Colossians 3:16