APPRECIATING YOUR BEING
Appreciation is an expression of admiration, approval or gratitude. When we appreciate something or someone, we place value upon it. We understand its worth or quality or significance and place it in high regard. We can look outside ourselves and recognize the beauty, contribution or excellence of someone or something. We can look within ourselves and value a feeling, a gift or a skill.
The complexity of our lives will show many dreams and goals that have not been fulfilled. We have childhood dreams and from our child"s eye we imagine what our lives will be. We have adult dreams and from that perspective we view the possibilities we can live and be. Not all of those dreams are fulfilled in our lives. The circumstances may not have been attainable or they may have been far from reality. As a child you may have wanted to be a dancer or president or baseball player or rock star. It looked good to you. Yet, that dream - real or not - has not been fulfilled. As an adult, we may have other dreams or goals or ideas of how our lives could be or be better. Some of those dreams may not come to fruition, either.
THE VISION OF YOUR LIFE
Because of this, we can separate from feeling appreciation. What we have or where we are, can seem less than what we want. Often times, when we have a goal or a vision of our lives, we focus more on the goal. The goal becomes important and can override the precious moments of our lives. A goal can be large or small, yet it is in the distance, in the future. Achieving the goal, the thrust towards it, shows that the goal is not accomplished. The dynamic tension of what has yet to be revealed and experienced creates a tension that can be perceived as lack. It is missing. It is not fully present. Even when a goal is accomplished, it may not have the results we imagined. Our ideas may not be met. We may not appreciate what is present, because our future dreams have not been met.
Appreciation occurs in the present moment. When we are appreciating, we give ourselves a gift of moments of admiration and gratitude. We give ourselves a gift that expands our hearts in soft pleasure. We recognize and understand beauty, wisdom, delight, value and caring. By appreciating something or someone, we open to the gifts of life and fill a moment with those gifts.
THE APPRECIATION MEDITATION
I created this meditation, to awaken and expand our feelings of appreciation in and for life. As we connect with what we do appreciate, we can increase it. As we extend appreciation to others, we expand the feelings of joy and well-being. When I look at and admire the magnificent sunsets in Santa Fe, New Mexico, I feel a deep appreciation and awe. I am honored to be in that moment when the skies relinquish the sunlight in splendor, when the sun cascades the last light of day into the clouds and the mountains. I am filled. I watch it all. In my appreciation, I send this recognition to the sun, the skies, the mountains, Mother Earth and the Divine. I connect with all the people enjoying this sunset with me in the world, where ever they are and who ever they are. I know they all hear me, the sun, the skies, the mountains, Mother Earth, the Divine, they all hear me. We join together in the joy of our mutual appreciation. It expands the moment into something even larger, even more profound and delightful.
As you play within this meditation, initially you will bring yourself to a centered place of calm. Follow the phrases and explore those aspects, people and things they you personally appreciated and value. Later, you can expand this practice into many other areas of your life.
It"s not necessary to look for specific results from this meditation. Appreciation is a moment unto itself. It is enough to be in the moments of appreciation and let them fill you. Just be in the delicious experience and feel the flow of that gift.
THE PRACTICE:
Center yourself.
You may take several slows deep breaths, to become more calm and more focused. The first time you do this meditation, close your eyes. It will help you feel the energies the message imparts.
Imagine just one thing, talent, quality, person or experience that you fully appreciate.
Let this one thing fill your mind. Expand it. Saturate yourself with It.
THE FOCUS CHANT:
"I appreciate the gifts in my life. I appreciate the blessings of my life. I appreciate this moment of my life. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."
Take several slow, deep breaths and return to your normal focus.
ACTS OF APPRECIATION:
As you play with this meditation, you will begin to see many things and aspects of your life that you enjoy and value. Express them. Tell those people around you that you appreciate them being in your life. You don"t need to expound. Simply say, " I appreciate your being there." When you share your appreciation, you expand the level of appreciation in our world. It is a beautiful gift.
When you are more familiar with the practice and feel, you can do this meditation anywhere - eyes opened or closed, spoken silently or aloud. You can add more things that you appreciate and focus on each one or all of them during the meditation.
May your life be filled with acknowledgment, appreciation and grace.
Lumari
© 1997 -2009 Lumari. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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