What Difference Do Words of Appreciation Make?

Have you ever thought about doing something for someone, then changed your mind, saying to yourself, “What difference will that make?” In other words, you talked yourself out of it and squished your great idea!

It can be so tempting to keep playing it safe, to stay in your comfort zone when contributing to another.  When you do this, you avoid seeing and truly experiencing the HUGE difference you make!

Avoidance in life isn’t the most effective strategy.  It’s like living life on hold, keeping it status quo and even keel — in other words mediocre.  However if you’re up to living life FULL OUT, experiencing everything there is to experience, and seizing every opportunity to do so, you’ll discover many hidden treasures and surprising outcomes that you would otherwise be oblivious to.

Elaine was a busy woman. She scurried from organizing the home, to getting her kids off to school in the morning, to saying a quick goodbye to her husband and then rushing off to her business. She barely caught her breath all day long and then on the way home she would run some quick errands before picking up the kids.

Somehow she managed to fit in taking care of the family’s needs and going to the grocery store.  She always went to the same store; it was her favorite.  She would rush in, pick up everything she needed, and then rush out, mostly not noticing her surroundings.

One day something caught her eye.

Outside the grocery store there was a homeless woman with her dog.  The woman’s head was slightly bowed–she clearly was ashamed of her homeless status.  She kept her dog close, protecting him and having him snuggle up to her for warmth and comfort.  She obviously had nothing but the clothes on her back and the possessions in her shopping cart that she also kept close by.

People were going in and out of the grocery store and most of them didn’t even see the woman. She was invisible in the middle of all the activity.

Elaine paused for a moment and thought, “How could I have not noticed her. I wonder how long she’s been here?” She wasn’t sure what to do and suddenly felt uncomfortable.  If she gave the homeless woman money, how would she spend it—on food or waste it on, say, alcohol?  And what if she were dangerous?

Instead of walking straight into the grocery store, Elaine took a circuitous route so she wouldn’t have to encounter the homeless woman.

While Elaine was shopping, she felt really bad.  When she came out of the store she thought, “I’m being ridiculous.  She clearly needs help and I’m going to do something.” So she went back into the store and picked up a sandwich for the woman and treats for the dog.

This time, walking out of the store, Elaine went straight to the woman, and thank goodness she was still there.

She handed the sandwich and the dog treats to her and said, “Here, these are for you.”

With effort, the homeless woman stood up and gratefully accepted the gift.  Elaine was blown away by how profusely the homeless lady expressed her words of appreciation.  She was so touched by this level of gratitude that her eyes filled with tears.  And her profound words of appreciation totally melted her heart.

Elaine asked the woman if there was anything else she could do for her.  She was emphatic that she didn’t need anything else.  However, Elaine pulled out a $20 bill and insisted that the woman take it to spend however she wanted.

As Elaine walked back to her car, she was flooded with many emotions. Feeling the significance of what had just happened, Elaine suddenly saw how she was racing through her life and missing so many things–like how great her life was and how much she had to be grateful for.

She resolved to start living differently!

She also saw how easy it is to make a difference in someone’s life–and how powerful it was for her to have received those amazing words of appreciation.

As soon as she got home, Elaine did exactly that.  She shared with each of her treasured family members her words of appreciation, telling each of them in turn how much they meant to her.

Elaine knew that her life had changed forever from that one amazing encounter!

Are you ready to experience rich fulfillment in your life? If so, all there is to do is to seize every opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life – and then allow yourself to receive whatever thanks or gratitude they offer you.  This is as much a gift as the gift you gave them – so challenge yourself to allow it in and simply accept it.  And notice how it enhances your whole life.

Article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Andrea_Woolf

Article source: http://ezinearticles.com/6320728

Do you yearn to have your life mean something more?  Are you aching to make a real difference in the lives of those you love and out in the world?  Stop putting it off and take action NOW!  Click HERE for the 21-Day “I AM a Gift to the World” Challenge.

To your magnificence!

Andrea Woolf
The Queen of Having It All
Founder of IgniteYourLifeBOOK.com
Co-founder of WakeUpAbundant.com
Ambassador of Manifest Money, HowtoLiveonPurpose.com

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What Difference Do Words of Appreciation Make?