Appreciation
Whether we embrace our environment growing up and think back to it fondly, or remember our situation growing up and thank our lucky stars that we were able to make it out alive — the fact remains the same: our past made us who we are today and if we are happy with who we are, we cannot wish to have lived a different life. That includes where and with whom we grew up.
Where you grew up and who you grew up with played an important role in cultivating you into who you are now and therefore plays a large part in the success that you are living today. Many people that made their way to being successful don’t do justice to those that their success heavily relied upon.
It’s not only a matter of courtesy and respect; it’s a matter of doing your part as a human being and helping those in your neighborhood achieve their own dreams. Showing that you are grateful to those that helped you flourish — whether it be your parents, siblings, friends, teachers or coaches — it's about more than paying your dues.
It’s about showing that you appreciate the role they played in your life and reciprocate the love they gave you, supporting you when times got tough. Not everyone was so lucky. Without them, chances are that you would have either failed or your success would have been postponed, delayed — maybe inevitably. What’s even more crucial to realize is that if it weren’t for them, you wouldn’t be who you are today.
People like to know that they are appreciated. Being appreciated is being recognized — your existence being acknowledged and being told “I have you in mind.” You want to appreciate those that appreciate you throughout your life, but especially when they were part of what caused your success. It’s really about spreading the happiness and spreading the love.
Appreciation can be shown in different ways, saying thank you sincerely is enough, but I would recommend showing your appreciation with action rather than words. I’m not saying that you should whip out your checkbook and start writing checks — although I am sure none of them would mine.
Showing your appreciation in such ways not only keeps the good karma flowing, it also increases the chances that when the time comes that you need help — which may be the case no matter how unlikely it may seem at the present — you’ll have someone there to support you and remind you that you are not alone.
If you have made it to the top, don’t forget the little people struggling to survive — the same way you struggled when you were on the up and coming. A community can be a strong weapon when it is truly united. A community can give you the support you need to get the ball rolling.
Sure, you may have just made a couple million off your last deal, but you are going to be working on other endeavors in the future; appreciate the community and they will reciprocate with support when you need it. A community can be as small as an AA support group or as large as your city or country. Say thank you and show them that success is possible under the same circumstances as they are living.
With that being said I have exciting news to share tomorrow. Stay Tuned.
