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The
Art of Appreciation
by Laura Grace |
"Love is the way I walk
in gratitude." ~ A Course in Miracles
Appreciating all that we have
in our life produces harmonious relationships, creative
and meaningful work, physical wellness, and genuine,
long lasting prosperity. Appreciation validates our
worth while affirming we are deserving of having
everything our heart desires. And as we relish all the
wonderful aspects of our life, more abundance is allowed
to pour forth, creating a consistent wellspring of
balance, joy and peace.
While teaching,
I regularly pose the question, "How abundant do you
feel in your life's work? How many of you are allowing
your creativity to be your livelihood?" People will
often wrinkle their noses for very few feel they are
doing what they love to do. Yet, whenever we perceive
we're not receiving something it’s usually because we’re
failing to appreciate what we already have and blocking
the natural flow of abundance. Thus, the most common way
to keep a trickle from being a torrent, is to not
appreciate what we currently have. For example, a common
theme I hear from people who are not experiencing
creative, rewarding work is, "I'll be much happier
when I'm doing what I love to do," or, "I'll
be all set when I get a real career," not
realizing their encounters and the quality they put
forth in those encounters is their
"real" career.
Negating our
self, our relationships, or our work, does not bring
forth abundance. Focusing on what we already have, that
which is good in our life creates abundance. I once read
an article on prayer where a Unity minister stated,
"Most people pray for what they don't want, not
what they want." This observation is indicative of
the tremendous resistance we have to staying in the
moment and to affirming the beauty presently in our
life.
Everything is
pure energy. As powerful transmitters, we are constantly
broadcasting our beliefs into the universe. Like
magnets, our thoughts create a dynamic force field,
attracting people, resources and events into our life.
Therefore, if we slam our work, we are by definition,
slamming our own ability to create. It's never the
situation, which needs correcting but our thoughts about
the situation that need healing. And since each
circumstance reflects our self-perception, our lives are
enhanced by focusing not on our perceived darkness, but
on our inherent light.
People
sometimes ask, "Am I supposed to stay in an
environment where I'm not treated as an equal or with
respect?" "Should I stay employed where my
work isn't appreciated?" We all need respect and
appreciation in order to feel good about ourselves. It's
not emotionally, physically, intellectually or
spiritually healthy for anyone to stay in a position
where appreciation is lacking (this pertains to
relationships as well). Yet, we must ask, "Are we
appreciating ourselves?" Truly, if we discount our
work situation, we must feel discounting of ourselves.
Further, "What thoughts do I hold about myself that
are attracting this circumstance?" And finally,
"Am I really giving everything I have to the
situation to make it meaningful for myself and
others?" At one point in my own life, while
transitioning from the world of corporate business to
spiritual writing and teaching, I performed some
temporary work for a consulting firm. During that time,
I concentrated on what A Course in Miracles calls
a holy encounter which teaches, "When you
meet anyone, remember it is a holy encounter. As you see
him you will see yourself. As you treat him you will
treat yourself. Never forget this, for in him you will
find yourself or lose yourself." I became clear
that my purpose for being at work was not merely for
making money, but for connecting with others on a
meaningful level.
Through daily
spiritual practice, maintaining this awareness brought
me joy. My encounters were peaceful and I felt my skills
and talents were truly being employed by God. Each day,
I expressed appreciation for the work before me and I
had faith it was a stepping stone to something even
greater.
During this
period, I did much inner reflecting and it dawned on me
that my former attraction to business was because of the
safe, sterile haven it provided, a place where people
often kept each other at arm's length. Yet at this
passage in my development, I was prepared to bond more
deeply. I began exposing myself in greater depth than
ever before and shortly thereafter, the consulting work
concluded. I then started exerting energy toward writing
and healing on a full-time basis, and within one year, I
was reaching out to, meeting, and assisting others in
ways I had only dreamed of.
This example
illustrates that my clarity of my strengths and talents,
in and of itself, was not enough. The driving force
behind my changes was the appreciation for what was in
front of me. Through my willingness to express the
highest quality effort into every task, I outgrew the
form of the job and was graciously supplied with even
more gratifying work.
Serving from
your deepest truth while appreciating all that you have
builds integrity and is the key to fulfilling your
life's work. In The Gift of Love, Joel Goldsmith
eloquently reminds us,
"Let us do each day the
task that is given us to do now, regardless of how
mundane it may appear to be; and if we fulfill that
which is given us to do now, we shall find that more
important things, and eventually what appear to be more
spiritual things, will be given us to do--but not until
we have done that which has already been given us to
do."
Honor whatever work has been
given to you. Know it is in your life for a very
important reason and appreciate all of the lessons it is
providing you with. As you recognize it as a stepping
stone toward higher ground, you will begin to leap
forward in your next adventure!
© Copyright Laura Grace. All Rights Reserved
Laura Grace is Co-founder of Infinite Wisdom, an organization dedicated to the highest human capacity, and a national author and speaker. As a regular contributor for publications across the US and Canada, Laura writes about human awareness and spiritual growth. Laura is the author of the widely acclaimed book Gifts of the Soul and is the creator and teacher of various programs, including the transforming and popular Self-Mastery Program, Claim Your Inner Power!, The Art of Compassionate Forgiveness, Wonderful Women: Reclaiming Our Power, Passion and Purpose!, Creating Soul in Relationships, Living the Intimate Life and several others. Please visit Laura's web site at:
www.LauraGrace.net, or by calling 888.PEACE-93.
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