Comments on: The Best Gift of All - Audio http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/2011/12/the-best-gift-of-all-audio-2/ The Power of Appreciation Thu, 17 May 2012 14:28:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: The Best Gift Of All | Intent Blog http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/2011/12/the-best-gift-of-all-audio-2/#comment-2016 The Best Gift Of All | Intent Blog Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:02:31 +0000 http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/?p=358#comment-2016 [...] During one of her shows a few years back, Oprah Winfrey made a profound and beautiful statement that I appreciated very much. She said, “We do shows about lots of ‘stuff’ and my ‘favorite things,’ but what people want more than anything else is to know that they’re appreciated…that’s the best gift of all.” At this time of year it’s easy for us to get caught up in the stress of getting everything on our list crossed off, preparing for parties and events, and rushing around to buy last minute gifts. And, if money is tight, there can added stress when thinking about what gifts to get for family members, friends, co-workers, and others. Instead of just giving “stuff” for the holidays this year, what if we gave the people in our life the most meaningful gift of all; our appreciation? Let the people around you know what you appreciate about them and why. What do you value most about your best friend? What is it about your kids that you really appreciate? What do you love best about your spouse? How does your co-worker or your boss make your job and life easier and more fun? Expressing our heartfelt and genuine appreciation for the important people in our life is magical and it’s essential to our ability to create happiness, fulfillment, loving relationships, healthy families, successful teams, and productive communities. Appreciation is also an important element of effectively dealing with the stress of challenges and uncertainty that so many of us are facing these days. This year, our holiday gifts can be expressions of true appreciation which will have real impact on our relationships and make our holiday season one to remember. Here are three simple suggestions to make your holiday gifts and your holiday season special and meaningful: 1). Write cards of gratitude. In addition to (or instead of) giving actual presents, take time to write heartfelt thank you cards letting the people around you know what you appreciate about them and how they have impacted your life this year in a positive way. Express your appreciation genuinely, specifically, and personally – in a heartfelt way. 2) Ask people what they really want. Giving something specific that someone really wants will have them feel appreciated and valued. It doesn’t have to be expensive, as long as it’s personal to them. And, if you ask them directly you may find out that what they really want is something simple that can’t be bought or doesn’t cost money. 3) Give the gift of your time or service. Make a list of a few important people in your life and instead of buying them something, call and ask each them if there is some project they’ve been putting off or procrastinating that you might be able to help them with. Schedule time to come over to their house or support them specifically in getting that task or project accomplished. Remember what most people want, more than almost anything else, is to know that they are loved, valued, and appreciated. Appreciation truly is the best gift we can give to the people in our lives (for the holidays and at any time of the year). What do you appreciate about the people around you? How can you express that appreciation in addition to (or instead of) buying presents for the important people in your life this year? Share your ideas, commitments, thoughts, dreams, and more on my blog here. To listen to this week’s audio podcast, including additional thoughts, ideas, and tips, click here. [...] […] During one of her shows a few years back, Oprah Winfrey made a profound and beautiful statement that I appreciated very much. She said, “We do shows about lots of ‘stuff’ and my ‘favorite things,’ but what people want more than anything else is to know that they’re appreciated…that’s the best gift of all.” At this time of year it’s easy for us to get caught up in the stress of getting everything on our list crossed off, preparing for parties and events, and rushing around to buy last minute gifts. And, if money is tight, there can added stress when thinking about what gifts to get for family members, friends, co-workers, and others. Instead of just giving “stuff” for the holidays this year, what if we gave the people in our life the most meaningful gift of all; our appreciation? Let the people around you know what you appreciate about them and why. What do you value most about your best friend? What is it about your kids that you really appreciate? What do you love best about your spouse? How does your co-worker or your boss make your job and life easier and more fun? Expressing our heartfelt and genuine appreciation for the important people in our life is magical and it’s essential to our ability to create happiness, fulfillment, loving relationships, healthy families, successful teams, and productive communities. Appreciation is also an important element of effectively dealing with the stress of challenges and uncertainty that so many of us are facing these days. This year, our holiday gifts can be expressions of true appreciation which will have real impact on our relationships and make our holiday season one to remember. Here are three simple suggestions to make your holiday gifts and your holiday season special and meaningful: 1). Write cards of gratitude. In addition to (or instead of) giving actual presents, take time to write heartfelt thank you cards letting the people around you know what you appreciate about them and how they have impacted your life this year in a positive way. Express your appreciation genuinely, specifically, and personally – in a heartfelt way. 2) Ask people what they really want. Giving something specific that someone really wants will have them feel appreciated and valued. It doesn’t have to be expensive, as long as it’s personal to them. And, if you ask them directly you may find out that what they really want is something simple that can’t be bought or doesn’t cost money. 3) Give the gift of your time or service. Make a list of a few important people in your life and instead of buying them something, call and ask each them if there is some project they’ve been putting off or procrastinating that you might be able to help them with. Schedule time to come over to their house or support them specifically in getting that task or project accomplished. Remember what most people want, more than almost anything else, is to know that they are loved, valued, and appreciated. Appreciation truly is the best gift we can give to the people in our lives (for the holidays and at any time of the year). What do you appreciate about the people around you? How can you express that appreciation in addition to (or instead of) buying presents for the important people in your life this year? Share your ideas, commitments, thoughts, dreams, and more on my blog here. To listen to this week’s audio podcast, including additional thoughts, ideas, and tips, click here. […]

]]> By: The Best Gift of All | Care2 Healthy Living http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/2011/12/the-best-gift-of-all-audio-2/#comment-2000 The Best Gift of All | Care2 Healthy Living Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:05:07 +0000 http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/?p=358#comment-2000 [...] To listen to my audio podcast for additional thoughts, ideas, and tips, click here. [...] […] To listen to my audio podcast for additional thoughts, ideas, and tips, click here. […]

]]> By: Victor http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/2011/12/the-best-gift-of-all-audio-2/#comment-1969 Victor Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:36:17 +0000 http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/?p=358#comment-1969 M, you bring up an interesting question and hope Mike can answer it for you and all of us. Some people do have problems in showing appreciation. I had a boss one time tell me that he felt he did not have to show appreciation to his workers since they were getting paid for the job they were doing and like that was appreciation enough. Huh???? I obviously strongly disagreed with that philosophy and I am sure other workers felt the same, too. Closer to home for me is my dad who has NEVER told me that he is proud of me and I am 58 and he is 84!! I have accepted the fact that he will probably die and will never say those words to me and my six siblings but I still love him. Anyhow, the bottom line is for YOU and ME to show appreciation to others. We may or may not get appreciated in return from these individuals but at least WE did our part to show others that they are appreciated and that should give us alot of inner peace and satisfaction like what Mike says. But again, you still bring up a very worthy question. Perhaps it all has to do with the way people are brought up? I think that has alot to do with this and I always think that may be the reason why my dad rarely shows any appreciation to his family and friends. Have a Merry Christmas! M, you bring up an interesting question and hope Mike can answer it for you and all of us.

Some people do have problems in showing appreciation. I had a boss one time tell me that he felt he did not have to show appreciation to his workers since they were getting paid for the job they were doing and like that was appreciation enough. Huh???? I obviously strongly disagreed with that philosophy and I am sure other workers felt the same, too.

Closer to home for me is my dad who has NEVER told me that he is proud of me and I am 58 and he is 84!! I have accepted the fact that he will probably die and will never say those words to me and my six siblings but I still love him. Anyhow, the bottom line is for YOU and ME to show appreciation to others. We may or may not get appreciated in return from these individuals but at least WE did our part to show others that they are appreciated and that should give us alot of inner peace and satisfaction like what Mike says. But again, you still bring up a very worthy question.

Perhaps it all has to do with the way people are brought up? I think that has alot to do with this and I always think that may be the reason why my dad rarely shows any appreciation to his family and friends.

Have a Merry Christmas!

]]> By: M http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/2011/12/the-best-gift-of-all-audio-2/#comment-1966 M Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:38:46 +0000 http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/?p=358#comment-1966 Hi Mike What an inspirational message for the holidays! This is uncomfortable to ask, but I was wondering if you had any advice on how to receive more appreciation into your life? I give freely of myself and my time to many friends in need. I am really good at telling others what I appreciate about them, but it's rare that anyone tells me what they appreciate about me. It leaves me feeling quite depleted sometimes. Hi Mike
What an inspirational message for the holidays!
This is uncomfortable to ask, but I was wondering if you had any advice on how to receive more appreciation into your life? I give freely of myself and my time to many friends in need. I am really good at telling others what I appreciate about them, but it’s rare that anyone tells me what they appreciate about me. It leaves me feeling quite depleted sometimes.

]]>