It is true that you may not have gotten to where you are going to but if you would take a look at where you used to be, then you will see that you have made some progresses. Many people are very quick to count their requests that have not been granted but fail to be appreciative for the ones that have been granted even among the ones that were not part of the request. It is by being appreciative and grateful that you will realize that you are, indeed, making progress and it will give you the zeal to continue. What many people do not know is that your appreciation for the little that you have seen is like expressing application for something bigger.
Even in your dealings with people, they will consider it a mark of pride for not being grateful. If someone does a favour even if it looks little, you should be grateful for it. Firstly because it is not your right, secondly because you do not know what the person had to sacrifice to do the favour to you, then remember that the person does not owe you the favour. When you have all these in mind, then you will not be forced to show gratitude. You will agree with me that you are always moved to favour the person that normally shows gratitude even for what may look small. This is also how others feel when you show gratitude.
I worked briefly at a retail line. During my period of work there, there was someone that came to me for a favour and even though it was not directly within my abilities to do it, I tried to talk to a few people and even tipped some cash to them just to get it done for the person. When I finally got it done, the person saw it as his right and did not even deem it fit to show gratitude. Then there was someone else that I just showed a very small act of favour within my reach, and the way the person appreciated it amazed me. Even after some days, we saw ourselves again and he still recalled the favour and appreciated again for it.
At the end of the year, the retail line I worked with gave me a bounty hamper (that contained some goodies) to give to one person of my choice whether within the company or outside. Incidentally, the two people that applied for it were; the first person that felt entitled who did not even show any gratitude but felt it was his right, then the second person was the other guy that showed sincere appreciation for the little favour. Obviously, you already know who my heart favoured immediately - the one that showed appreciation. His past heart of gratitude was what opened the door for him.
There are doors that can be opened to you simply because of your appreciation of someone's past favour. It is worthy to note that there is no blessing or favour that too small to be appreciated. As a matter of fact, what you call "small blessing" may be the earnest desire of someone else, so learn to be appreciative of it. If you take a look at the benefits you have received starting with the gift of life, you will have reasons to be grateful. You do not have to wait until you have acquired all your desires before you can show appreciation. Right from where you are and at any point in your life, there is something that should be worthy of gratitude in your life.
There is a sense of belonging that is created when you appreciate someone for something. It will even make the person to do many other things for you. The truth is that if you appreciate someone for going a metre for you, he will go kilometres for you. And if you show gratitude for someone's little, you will see his great. This is also in affirmation with this popularly used Igbo (SouthEastern Nigerian) proverb:
Ekene dike na nke omere, omee ozoo
This means that when you express gratitude for what someone has done, the person will be eager to do more for you.
I have learnt the power of appreciation and gratitude over the years and how it can open doors for someone. This is the reason I express it willingly and lavishly, even for the things I quality for, I am still grateful for them. In conclusion, it is worthy to note that you cannot go wrong with appreciation, rather you attract more favours.
Thanks for reading
