The Value of Appreciation

There’s something powerful about being appreciated. It doesn’t cost a dime, doesn’t take much time and yet it can completely change a person’s day — sometimes even their life. Unfortunately, in today’s world, appreciation seems to be getting harder and harder to find.

We live in a society where people are quick to complain, quick to criticize and quick to point out what someone did wrong. 

Social media especially has become a place where negativity spreads faster than kindness. People can work tirelessly behind the scenes, give everything they have to their jobs, their families or their communities, and often the only thing they hear is what they should have done differently.

That’s a shame.

The older I get, the more I realize that appreciation matters more than perfection. Most people aren’t asking for trophies or constant praise. They simply want to know their efforts meant something to someone. A simple “thank you,” a handshake, a message or a few encouraging words can go a long way.

In a small community like Manchester and Clay County, appreciation should matter even more. We all know each other. We see the same teachers, first responders, coaches, church members, volunteers and workers every single day. We know the people who stay late, who answer calls in the middle of the night, who volunteer their time and who quietly help others without ever asking for recognition.

Yet sometimes, we take those people for granted.

It’s easy to overlook the good because we become accustomed to it. We expect the fire department to show up. We expect the newspaper to keep people informed. We expect teachers to educate our children and coaches to mentor our athletes. We expect city workers to fix water leaks and road crews to clear snow. But behind every service is a real person sacrificing time with their family, dealing with stress and doing their best to help this community move forward.

A little appreciation can recharge people in ways we don’t realize.

I’ve also noticed that appreciation often creates a chain reaction. When people feel valued, they usually pass that kindness along to someone else. Positivity spreads just as easily as negativity — maybe even easier — if we let it.

Think about how different our community would feel if people made it a point to encourage instead of constantly tearing others down. 

Imagine if social media was filled with as many compliments as complaints. 

Imagine if we thanked people publicly as often as we criticized them publicly.

The truth is, life is short. None of us know how much time we have left with the people around us. 

Far too often, flowers are sent after funerals when encouraging words could have been spoken while someone was still here to hear them.

Appreciation doesn’t make people weak. It doesn’t mean we ignore problems or stop striving for improvement. It simply means we recognize humanity in one another.

And honestly, the world could use a whole lot more of that right now.