The Thing About Appreciation {Carlos Miceli}

by Sam on August 3, 2009

…Is that it’s right there.

You can start doing it at any given time.

There are no qualifications or skills required.

Like breathing, it’s still free.

So, why don’t we do it more often? Talk about rationality…

Let’s be realistic here: the single act of appreciation won’t make you feel “happy” about your current situation, especially if it is (what YOU consider) a crappy one. But, it will make you feel better. How is this not incentive enough?

Look around you. There’s something to give thanks for in every little thing that you do or have. People, things and experiences, acknowledge them.

Compare. Consider how lucky you actually are compared to (way too many) less fortunate people.

Remember. Look back and think about what you lacked before and have now. (Personal anecdote: I had $5 in the bank and $12 in my wallet before getting my first paycheck of my actual job. Being broke teaches you a lot about appreciation.)

Appreciation only takes a moment, but it can last forever.

And if you are serious about it, it will.

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Appreciative Revolutionary: Carlos Miceli (@CarlosMic)

Bio: Carlos is a young Argentinian still living in Buenos Aires. Next year, he’s moving to Perth, Australia. He considers himself  “a questioner of things,” and he blogs at OwlSparks.

Favorite ice cream flavor: Banana Split

I appreciate Carlos’ strength, his kind heart, and his uncanny ability to fit so much insight into so few words!

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Tagged as: Advice, Appreciation, being thankful, bloggers

  • I think before we can appreciate we have to instill mindfulness or a sense of awareness. Without it, our mind is not in the moment, and we can not fully appreciate what is in front of our eyes.

    Thank you so much for this wonderful and direct post Carlos, always top notch stuff! :)

    Dayne
  • I think before we can appreciate we have to instill mindfulness or a sense of awareness. Without it, our mind is not in the moment, and we can not fully appreciate what is in front of our eyes.

    Thank you so much for this wonderful and direct post Carlos, always top notch stuff! :)

    Dayne
  • Amen Grace. What's sad is that many times we don't acknowledge them until they're gone.
  • Sam, first of all, thank you for letting me be a part of this, it was an honor. Jenny and Matt are already amazing company, I can't wait to see who joins us next!

    If people can take what I've said and use it to improve their life, then I'm set, I can't ask for more.
  • I'm echoing Susan because I really like that line: "Appreciation only takes a moment, but it can last forever."

    These little things in life, like appreciating everything you have around you, the fact you have money in your wallet or that you have a lunch to eat today. Things like that usually pass us by...
  • Amen Grace. What's sad is that many times we don't acknowledge them until they're gone.
  • Thank you Akhila, I see you as a person who definitely knows how to show appreciation, maybe a reminder is all you need! Just so you know, I don't think I do this enough either, walking the talk is not that simple ;)
  • I'm echoing Susan because I really like that line: "Appreciation only takes a moment, but it can last forever."

    These little things in life, like appreciating everything you have around you, the fact you have money in your wallet or that you have a lunch to eat today. Things like that usually pass us by...
  • Carlos: Like I said in my little editor's note up there, I appreciate how you can be so insightful in so few words. I think that people waste so much time making up excuses for why they can't do something. They could have actually done the thing in that time, or at least realized that it's a lot easier than they're making it. Appreciation is easy, and free, and all we have to do is take a look around. You're right, appreciation only takes a moment, but it can last forever. People will keep your kind words with them for a long time.

    And, thanks to everyone for commenting. The Revolution is a major success already and we're only on the third post!
  • Sam, first of all, thank you for letting me be a part of this, it was an honor. Jenny and Matt are already amazing company, I can't wait to see who joins us next!

    If people can take what I've said and use it to improve their life, then I'm set, I can't ask for more.
  • Great post, Carlos and thanks to Sam again for starting this wonderful series. I agree, it's free and it can last forever. Small bits of appreciation can make a huge difference in someone's life -- especially if that person is less fortunate than yourself.

    Honestly, I work for a non-profit, but I don't show enough appreciation in my personal life nor do I really volunteer my time to serve others (other than my internship and activities). I don't always let the people I love know this enough. Thanks for reminding me to work on it!
  • Thank you Akhila, I see you as a person who definitely knows how to show appreciation, maybe a reminder is all you need! Just so you know, I don't think I do this enough either, walking the talk is not that simple ;)
  • Carlos: Like I said in my little editor's note up there, I appreciate how you can be so insightful in so few words. I think that people waste so much time making up excuses for why they can't do something. They could have actually done the thing in that time, or at least realized that it's a lot easier than they're making it. Appreciation is easy, and free, and all we have to do is take a look around. You're right, appreciation only takes a moment, but it can last forever. People will keep your kind words with them for a long time.

    And, thanks to everyone for commenting. The Revolution is a major success already and we're only on the third post!
  • Great post, Carlos and thanks to Sam again for starting this wonderful series. I agree, it's free and it can last forever. Small bits of appreciation can make a huge difference in someone's life -- especially if that person is less fortunate than yourself.

    Honestly, I work for a non-profit, but I don't show enough appreciation in my personal life nor do I really volunteer my time to serve others (other than my internship and activities). I don't always let the people I love know this enough. Thanks for reminding me to work on it!
  • I'd like to visit your blog, but there's no link. Share it with us when you have the time. Thanks for your thoughts!
  • Wow Jenny, I'm speechless, thank you so much for your words! You already know what I think about the most positive person I know (you). It's an honor to share this Revolution with you my friend!
  • Thank you Susan. Coming from you, a person that truly lives appreciation, it means a lot.

    Every time I realize what I have and I DON'T feel happy, I take a serious look at my mindset. Why do we need so much? Appreciating things is the first step towards changing.
  • Very well said, this is why I start doing regular installment like Sunday Lovelist in my blog. It helps me appreciate what's in my life even after I have such a hard week :)
  • I'd like to visit your blog, but there's no link. Share it with us when you have the time. Thanks for your thoughts!
  • andhari
    Very well said, this is why I start doing regular installment like Sunday Lovelist in my blog. It helps me appreciate what's in my life even after I have such a hard week :)
  • And there is NO ONE better at appreciation than you! You are such a shining example of someone who doesn't hold back appreciation (as though it costs something to dole it out). You live and breathe it, and it has really meant a lot to me personally (as it has to many others, I'm sure).

    Your post reminds me of the India Arie song, There's Hope. She says: "It doesn't cost a thing to smile, you don't have to pay to laugh..." So I agree with you - we should all be smiling, laughing and appreciating much more often!
  • Wow Jenny, I'm speechless, thank you so much for your words! You already know what I think about the most positive person I know (you). It's an honor to share this Revolution with you my friend!
  • And there is NO ONE better at appreciation than you! You are such a shining example of someone who doesn't hold back appreciation (as though it costs something to dole it out). You live and breathe it, and it has really meant a lot to me personally (as it has to many others, I'm sure).

    Your post reminds me of the India Arie song, There's Hope. She says: "It doesn't cost a thing to smile, you don't have to pay to laugh..." So I agree with you - we should all be smiling, laughing and appreciating much more often!
  • "Appreciation only takes a moment, but it can last forever."

    Beautiful words and beautiful post, Carlos. One of the main reasons why I'm so big on letting people know how I feel -- that I'm grateful for them, that I care for them -- is because of this thought. So many people might not know how you feel and what good are you doing by holding it in? It will make you feel better by saying those words, yes, but the imprint it lasts on another person will be even greater.

    And the effect it can have on your own life when you realize what you have vs. what you don't? Huge. Acknowledgment alone goes a long way. Appreciation -- even further.

    I adore this post, Carlos.

    And, Sam, this is truly a remarkable revolution!
  • Thank you Susan. Coming from you, a person that truly lives appreciation, it means a lot.

    Every time I realize what I have and I DON'T feel happy, I take a serious look at my mindset. Why do we need so much? Appreciating things is the first step towards changing.
  • "Appreciation only takes a moment, but it can last forever."

    Beautiful words and beautiful post, Carlos. One of the main reasons why I'm so big on letting people know how I feel -- that I'm grateful for them, that I care for them -- is because of this thought. So many people might not know how you feel and what good are you doing by holding it in? It will make you feel better by saying those words, yes, but the imprint it lasts on another person will be even greater.

    And the effect it can have on your own life when you realize what you have vs. what you don't? Huge. Acknowledgment alone goes a long way. Appreciation -- even further.

    I adore this post, Carlos.

    And, Sam, this is truly a remarkable revolution!
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