Appreciation Is Nectar To The Soul
Appreciation in a Thinking Environment is simply “noticing what is good and saying it.”
I often reflect on an event from the 1990s, one that left a lasting imprint on my heart. In 1996, my father celebrated his 60th birthday in a misty hill town surrounded by tea estates in Kerala—a milestone deeply cherished in South India, symbolizing a kind of rebirth within traditional families.
At the time, I was in the early stages of my consulting career, living in a different city. Financially, I wasn’t in a position to afford an expensive gift, so I decided to give something more personal. I purchased a simple card and, in my native Tamizh, wrote a 25-page letter to my father. The letter was filled with appreciation—expressing my gratitude for everything he had done for me, especially for allowing me the freedom to be myself. I thanked him for giving me the space to think, to explore, and to pursue the life I wanted.
I attended the celebration and gave him the card along with the letter.
A few weeks after the event, my father came to visit me in Chennai. One evening, as we were sitting together and relaxing, he told me something that I have never forgotten. He encouraged me to continue with my consultancy work, even though I wasn’t earning much at the time. He assured me that he would support me financially for as long as he lived, but insisted that I keep pursuing the path I had chosen because he believed it was the right one for me. We spent a beautiful evening together, and he left the next morning.
That was the last time I saw him. He passed away in July 1997 after suffering his third and final heart attack.
Even now, years later, I’m filled with gratitude for the fact that I had the opportunity to express my appreciation to my father while he was still alive. I will always cherish that final evening with him. It serves as a profound reminder of the importance of appreciating those we love in the present moment.
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From this experience, I’ve learned not to wait. I urge you—if you see something good in the people who matter to you, tell them. Don’t delay. Appreciation is the nectar of life.
What do you think? Do write back to me about any incidents where you felt appreciated, or where you appreciated someone else and were glad you did it.
A Dialogue On Appreciation
You may see the YouTube video of my conversation with Sophie Stephenson on the component of Appreciation.
Connect with us via email: rajachid@rajachid.com
Time to Think Consultant, Coach & Facilitator, providing thinking space for individuals and teams to enjoy more "ah ha" and less 'blah blah" in any area of work/life.
2moThere's so much to notice that's good...if we are prepared/willing to look. Given we are wired to pay attention to what's not so good primarily, it can take some discipline and practice to notice and express our appreciation. Bringing this to our attention is the first step, thank you Raja Chidambaram.
Program Management (PMO) | Product Engineering | Process Development (Agile) | Entrepreneurship | Operations
3moVery true. People feel the appreciation but often forget/neglect to express, which infact strengthen the relationships and makes them more enjoyable.
Chief Mentor and co-founder, CrestPoint Consultants India
3moSadly so few of us practice this and often articulate when it is too late!
Raja Chidambaram , heartfelt Appreciation and deep sense of gratitude to the blessings we have, enables the soul to be nourished and preserve!. Well articulated article. God bless