💞Appreciation: Cultivating Joy in Our Connections!💞

Can you recall a time when someone’s appreciation left a lasting impact on you? What did they say or do, and how did it change your perspective?

I remember my favorite English teacher from middle school . Each week, she assigned us thought-provoking essay topics and I poured my heart into every piece. After I shared one particularly personal essay, she looked at me and said, “You write so well and I truly enjoy reading your work.”

That moment was magical! Her appreciation transformed my perspective on writing. Until then, it felt like just another assignment, but suddenly I realized my words could connect with others and evoke emotions. This ignited a passion in me that I didn’t know existed.

Her encouragement created a safe space for exploration, turning me from a student into a budding storyteller. I’m so grateful for that moment and the lasting impact it had on my love for writing.  

If you could write a thank-you note to your future self, what would you say? 

Dear Future Me,

Thank you for embracing each moment with grace and courage and for following the path that resonates with your true self. 🌿 Celebrate every lesson and let your heart guide you, trusting in the flow of the universe.

May you always shine your light brightly and share your love with others.

With love and light,
Your Past Self

@Phoenixthepoised 

thanks for this awesome post! I love the ideas that you suggested. im a big fan of gratitude journalling and showing other appreciation. I love the initiatives that cups has taken like peer appreciation program. I think that receiving them and also giving them can influence both people significantly. its such nice reminder. will go look back on notes people have givien when its been a tough day. 

If you could write a thank-you note to your future self, what would you say? 

I wanted to add onto to this question. 

Dear Future Me, 

Thank you so much for trying so hard and caring for others. Life can be discouraging and it can be very hard to care for others when you feel down or are struggling. So, I want to say thank you for just caring and for moving forward to accomplish goals. 

Best,

Me

@Phoenixthepoised beautiful post! I love how you spoke so we'll about this very vital but often overlooked part of daily interaction. 

For me, it wasn't a direct appreciation but a subtle "I see you, I admire you and I believe you" kinda attitude that I had from a teacher, which really motivated me to focus on that subject and do really well! I'll admit I'm a sucker for appreciation and honestly I get so little of it that it's a crime xD But appreciation can impact people so deeply! 

And an appreciation note to my future self: "Thank you so much for loving me, for being so wonderful and so soft and sweet. I know that most of the time you feel like it's a weakness, but your vulnerability, your gentleness, your loving heart, your sensitive body - everything is a gift to the world that the world needs more of. I love how you still have that child like enthusiasm that no one around would understand, and no matter what I'm proud of you for focusing on being more authentic. I love you!" 

@Phoenixthepoised I love all of the ideas in this post, but I especially love the appreciation wall; it's such a great idea!

If I could write a thank you note to my future self, I would say,

Dear future self, 

Thank you for putting the hard work into our master's program. I'm sure it is tough, but we are finally following our dreams of becoming a therapist! I appreciate how all the work I do now has put you where you are when you read this, so thank you for honoring past self-work and using that as a basis for what we/you are doing now.

Love, 

Past Self