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HONORING
THE DIFFERENCES
Though we as humans are the same we are also
different. Differences can be viewed as irritants IF we are not willing to
appreciate differences and see the difference of the other as a
contribution and a gift. If we expect the other to think like, behave
like, see life like, etc., us we are bound to set ourselves up for
disappointment and drama.
Instead take time to review the people in your life.
What is the gift they bring to you? What qualities do they offer? How are
you served by their presence? What do they add to your life that enriches
you?
This is a great exercise to do with all people in
your life. It will serve to enable you to appreciate and receive the
bounty of gifts the different people in your life offer you. It will
assist you to open and receive their gifts.
My husband is steady and loyal. He is grounded and
practical. I appreciate these gifts and will often bounce ideas off him,
knowing he will navigate my thinking towards practical action.
My mother is kind hearted, considerate, and socially
conscious. When I am stuck about taking action in a social situation, I
may ask for her counsel.
My sister is industrious, a former producer of
television commercials. She is gifted in her ability to get things done. I
may ask her to offer ideas about making things happen in areas that I find
daunting.
These are not the only gifts these people bring to
my life. Not even close. I offer them as examples. I strongly encourage
you to take time to do this exercise for yourself. It could change your
life, change how you experience the people in your life, change how you
relate to those around you.
In regard to a difficult relationship I was having,
a friend once suggested that I receive the gift offered and to throw the
box away it came in. When we focus on the gift of people, that which comes
with the gift can be set aside. That which may have been in the past an
irritant can now be seen as part of the package the gift comes in.
For example, my sister who can juggle 4,782 plus or
minus, projects at once, including helping me out with something, may seem
sharp and abrupt at times. Even bossy. When I hold her in full context and
not isolate the moments I find irritating, I can easily accept those
aspects of her as they are now just part of the whole, which includes the
kindness and generosity of her loving nature.
Try it. See if you can describe the whole package
the gifts of the people in your life come in. Notice if something shifts
inside you. See if your irritation decreases while your appreciation and
gratitude increase.
Are you willing to let go of the container the gift
of the people in your life come in and focus instead on the richness they
offer? You get to choose.
QUOTES
"Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone
or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you
appreciate and value into your life."
~ Christiane Northrup ~
PRACTICALLY SPEAKING
The commitment to appreciate and look for the gift
in others will change the way you filter your world. You will actually
program your brain to look for the gift, the good in others.
Make that commitment with yourself. "I commit
to recognizing the gift, the good in others."
At the end of the day, you could take a moment to
reflect and harvest the gifts you received throughout that day.
Remember to appreciate the gift of you.
WONDER
QUESTION:
Are you willing to filter the world through the lens
of appreciation rather than complaint?
UPCOMING
WORKSHOP
I am excited to be sponsoring Sabine
Grandke-Taft who will be facilitating:
Healing Trust and Aliveness Workshop
for Women
January 26, 27, 28, 2007
For
additional information visit this link
Enrollment is limited. Please sign up now!
QUICK LINKS:
COPYRIGHT/CONTACT INFO/REPRINT PERMISSION
Copyright 2006 by Leslie Karen Sann, Living by Design
Visit this link for contact information:
leslie@living-bydesign.com
Reprint permission granted in part or whole when the following credit appears in full:
Copyright 2006 by Leslie Karen Sann,
Living by Design.All rights reserved.
Web site. http://www.living-bydesign.com
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