Wow.  Big title, eh?  Well, this may not be “THE” secret of life, but it certainly is one of them.  And maybe it’s not so secret, either.  The secret is…appreciate everyone.  As my Mom liked to say “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”

Everyone likes to be noticed and appreciated, even the ones who say they don’t.  When we offer unsolicited appreciations we invite that appreciated quality to show up more.  This is a key tip to you managers (and parents) out there:  what you focus on, that’s what grows.  As you bring positive attention to qualities and attributes you appreciate, the people you are appreciating get in the habit of showing those qualities and attributes more often.

And a life filled with looking for things to appreciate about others is a life filled with appreciation and gratitude.  And that’s a sure-fire recipe for joy!

So, this holiday season,  when you gather for a holiday dinner or party, start by sharing appreciations.  When its a smallish group, 4-8 people, you might try asking each person to say one thing they like or appreciate about every other person at the table and one thing they appreciate about themself.

When its a larger group, try asking each person to say one thing they like or appreciate about the person to their left (and/or to their right) and one thing they appreciate about themself.   BTW, this works great as a way to start your staff/team meetings, PTA meetings, Lions/Elks/Rotary/etc. meetings.

And, while I have your attention, let me take this opportunity to appreciate you and to express my deep and sincere gratitude for your presence in my life.  Thanks for your support of me, my podcast, my blog, my workshops.  Thank you for sharing the dream of living together in dignity, respect, understanding, trust, kindness, compassion, honesty and love.