Wanna spread EAFLU? Part III

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7 : 12

Good morning, friends. Today let us read about ‘A’ppreciate. William James said, “The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.”

A young politician in his first campaign speech was very eager to make an impression on his audience, but when he arrived at the audience he found only one man. After waiting for others to come, he gave up as no one came. He said to that man, “Look, I’m just a young politician starting out. Do you want me to deliver the speech or to dismiss the meeting?” The man thought for a moment and then said, “Sir, I’m just a cowhand. All I know is cows. Of course, I do know that if I took a load of hay down to the pasture and only one cow came up, I’d feed it!”

Don’t underestimate the value of a single person.

With the advice of the cowhand, the politician began his speech and talked on and on for two full hours as the cowhand sat expressionless. Finally he stopped and asked the cowhand “Is my speech alright?” The man replied, “Sir if only one cow came up, I surely wouldn’t dump the whole load on him.”
Don’t take advantage of people.

A simple formula to appreciate others is to treat them as if they’re important. The Bible says something like this, “When you have the good thing in you but you don’t give it, then you’re not doing the right thing.” When people are craving for appreciation, why don’t you just give it away? I know sometimes it is tough to appreciate others, but still if you carefully look at them, you’ll find at least a couple of reasons for which they deserve your appreciation. Appreciate your wife for the food she prepares for you. Appreciate the boy who comes and delivers news paper in the morning. Appreciate your security folks who protect you all day and night.

During the last day of Chennai Hope Festival, Franklin Graham thanked everyone and he specifically asked us to appreciate the police officers who served there. He told, “We often go to the police with the complaints. Just for a change, today while you leave, please appreciate them for without them we could have not accommodated nearly 90000 people in the venue.” I saw many guys who greeted the police men with a smile that night for the very first time.

As many of us are software professionals, we all know the happiness we get when we receive appreciation emails from the customers and awards from our bosses. Don’t we? This will enhance the interest to work willingly. In the same way, people will start responding according to the way you perceive them.