Seek and You Shall Find: Appreciation and Expecting the Best in Others

If you look for goodness in others, you will find it. If you choose to interpret a person’s actions as friendly, you will have good feelings towards that person. Conversely, if you expect that others are intent on doing you harm, you will always interpret their actions as hostile, even when they’re not. It’s your choice.

People will live up to your expectations. Be careful what you expect. If you expect the worst of people you may get it.

I challenge you to decide to expect the best from the people around you. Let go of your expectations that people will disappoint you or hurt you. Try this for a week and see what happens. Start with your family and friends. Try it for another week. What have you got to lose except your negative perceptions?

If you want to increase the chances of finding goodness in others, consider changing your own behavior. A little appreciation goes a long way. We all crave appreciation. Pay attention to the little things the people you care about do. When you consistently notice the goodness in others and you appreciate it, you’ll find people living up to your expectations. What can you do?

*Catch your children doing right! Notice when they are getting along and tell them you appreciate it. Notice when they do something without your telling them
*Tell your spouse you appreciate those things she/he does (going to work each day, taking care of the children, taking out the trash, greeting you with a smile, killing the bugs, changing the light bulbs)
*Tell your friends what you appreciate about their friendship
*Tell your parents what you appreciate about them

Seek goodness and you will find it all around you. Decide to live an Aware Life, noticing and appreciating the things you previously took for granted

Michelle E. Vásquez, LPC
I help people build strong, healthy relationships

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