5. Celebrating life Flashcards
Express and receive gratitude gracefully
When praise is given as a reward to get people to work harder, why are the benefits only short-term?
Because its manipulative and disingenuous nature means the effect wears off and to compound that, the first time hard work appears to stop, any praise goes away. Truth is revealed and there praise after this is easily read as meaningless.
What is the danger of giving praise in a disingenuous manner to someone who you know benefits from getting approval?
It deepens their “approval search addiction”. You are then contributing to the world of people who search for approval from others.
What three things must be made clear when communicating gratitude?
1. The action the other person has taken that have contributed to our well being
2. The needs of ours that have been fulfilled through the action
3. The pleasure-full feelings that were created by having our needs fulfilled
When someone shows vague gratitude what can you do?
You can ask for the three components to be expressed so you can celebrate the gratitude together. Those being:
1. The action the other person has taken that have contributed to our well being
2. The needs of ours that have been fulfilled through the action
3. The pleasure-full feelings that were created by having our needs fulfilled
Why are we often uncomfortable in receiving gratitude?
It can set expectations.
We might not feel we deserve it.
Gratitude can be misused to conjure a feeling of indebtedness.
Gratitude is usually received from one of two polar positions. What are they?
- Egotism, believing we are superior because we’ve been given this gratitude.
- False humility, denying the importance of the appreciation by shrugging and saying “oh it’s nothing”.
When someone says “oh it’s nothing” you can reply “don’t be so humble, you’re not that great”.
How can we avoid receiving gratitude from the position of ego or false humility?
By knowing that the power of divine entity though us gives us the power to improve lives (it is not us to claim credit for it).
How can we avoid continually searching for perfection and seek to improve things without stopping to celebrate what is?
1. Make sure you acknowledge what enriches your life and express it.
2. Don’t miss the chance to express gratitude to the people who have been the greatest influences in your lives.
