During childhood we acquire a number of survival skills. With sufficient learning and growth, we become standalone beings no longer fully dependent upon elders. If you had to, you could forage for food and find or build a shelter. That standalone nature of human life applies in some of the worst circumstances like famine, abandonment, and war. Harsh realities necessitate independent action.
Yet, in the absence of such dire conditions many in an affluent society fall into emotional dependence. Are you one of them? Does your emotional wellbeing depend on acknowledgement? Do you feel unappreciated?
Even if you have had a relatively soft life, you probably know from news stories about victims of crime, war, and false imprisonment that life can be harsh. Would you say that the victims of crime and war are unappreciated? They are, of course.
So, what’s this stuff about being “unappreciated” just because someone or some group will not acknowledge your worth or your efforts? Isn’t there a perspective you can take that throws some new understanding on your feelings? There is, of course.
Feeling unappreciated at work? At home? In school? At the club? On the team? If so, think of explaining your dire predicament to someone chained to a cold, wet floor in a prison overseen by abusive guards. Explain your predicament to someone who lost a child to a terrorist. Explain your predicament to someone whose family was annihilated by a bomb.
Still feeling unappreciated? You still have that standalone ability that enables you to survive harsh realities. Maybe you just allowed yourself to forget that you can stand alone. Maybe the only appreciation that matters is self-appreciation.
Yet, in the absence of such dire conditions many in an affluent society fall into emotional dependence. Are you one of them? Does your emotional wellbeing depend on acknowledgement? Do you feel unappreciated?
Even if you have had a relatively soft life, you probably know from news stories about victims of crime, war, and false imprisonment that life can be harsh. Would you say that the victims of crime and war are unappreciated? They are, of course.
So, what’s this stuff about being “unappreciated” just because someone or some group will not acknowledge your worth or your efforts? Isn’t there a perspective you can take that throws some new understanding on your feelings? There is, of course.
Feeling unappreciated at work? At home? In school? At the club? On the team? If so, think of explaining your dire predicament to someone chained to a cold, wet floor in a prison overseen by abusive guards. Explain your predicament to someone who lost a child to a terrorist. Explain your predicament to someone whose family was annihilated by a bomb.
Still feeling unappreciated? You still have that standalone ability that enables you to survive harsh realities. Maybe you just allowed yourself to forget that you can stand alone. Maybe the only appreciation that matters is self-appreciation.
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