A Ppreciation B Lessings and C Omplements: Positive Thoughts. Positive Actions. Positive Feelings. Positive Life

By Dr. Rowena Shaw, PhD

More than three decades of professional experiences as counselor and school psychologist guided Dr. Rowena Shaw to focus on the theme of “positivity” in her work with youngsters and adult clients. The goal of maintaining a healthy cycle of “Positive Thoughts-Positive Actions-Positive Feelings-Positive Living” is consistently emphasized in her practice. An essential component of a positive life is gratitude. Sincere appreciation and thankfulness for daily blessings and the goodwill of others create a purposeful sense of happiness. In turn, joyful feelings generate grateful sentiments.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Nov 18, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483420837

Book preview

A PPRECIATION B LESSINGS and C OMPLIMENTS

Positive Thoughts.

Positive Actions.

Positive Feelings.

Positive Life.

Dr. Rowena Shaw

Contributors: Princess Ancheta, Emily DePasquale,Elfie Klementi, Shannon Marshall and Jay Shelton

Copyright © 2014 Dr. Rowena Shaw.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-2082-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-2083-7 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 11/12/2014

Contents

To Our Dear Soul mates

Dear Mom and Dad

Dear Daughter

Dear Son

Dear Brother

Dear Mother-In-Law and Father-In-Law

Dear Friend

Dear Son-in-law

Dear Teacher/Mentor

Preface

Why write and compile a book with emphasis on Appreciation, Blessings Compliments and Commendations?

Words of love and gratitude offered to our life partners…

Elated feelings when we listen to heartfelt messages from our soul mates…

Opportunities to affirm our deep affection for our parents and acknowledge their personal sacrifices and unconditional love…

Moments when we tell our children how much they are loved and how they enriched our lives in abundance…

Heartwarming times when our sons and daughters speak about how thankful they are for our care, guidance and support…

Cherished instances when our friends describe the special bond we share…

Esteemed occasions when we receive cordial and warm feedback from those we mentored or assisted in some way…

Positive thoughts and sincere thanks communicated while the intended recipients are blessed with good health and mentally alert to fully comprehend and reflect upon appreciative messages… not shared belatedly at funerals or memorial services.

Equally precious are conveying compliments and grateful sentiments to departed loved ones or those admired. Although the revered individuals may have passed on, nevertheless, our words can provide lasting tributes to their kind deeds, celebrate virtuous, honorable lives and ensure the continuity of valued legacies.

These are a few of the whys which provided motivation for the book.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My sincere gratitude to Pete Shaw, my husband, for your love, companionship and kindness.

To Arlyle Shaw-Schultz, for treasured memories and providing your parents immense pride and joy with your personal and professional achievements.

A debt of gratitude to Jerry and Cora, loving parents, for being exemplary role models and for your unwavering support.

To Princess Ancheta, Elfie Klementi, Emily DePasquale, Shannon Marshall and Jay Shelton for contributing heartfelt and eloquent letters.

The Gift of Gratitude

Findings gathered from worldwide comparative studies which focused on the measurement of levels of happiness, diversely conducted in impoverished and technologically advanced countries, revealed that in the United States, the happiness index remains unchanged for the past fifty years. In comparison, a number of African countries reported higher happiness scores, in spite of widespread poverty. Why the discrepancy? Some researchers theorized that Americans are driven by persistent media hard sell to want more – newer, better, fancier, improved stuff.

Individuals driven by single-minded determination to spend considerable time and resources to pursue much-desired material possessions tend to regard overt displays of appreciation and gratitude as unnecessary, meaningless gestures. Daily blessings from nature and the significance of others are usually dismissed, deemed trivial, compared with the oversized scope of their pre-determined, must-haves. Even after entries are checked off priority lists, the need to chase after the next craved item preclude the time to delight in less important personal achievements, or, recognize individuals who made possible the acquisition of coveted things.

Folks in unindustrialized countries who are not subjected to the constant barrage of sales pitch and commercial hype are found to be more content. They find beauty in their surroundings, take pleasure in the company of others, and appreciate the benefits of their labor. Results of the international research on happiness levels pointed to a strong link between gratitude, satisfaction and happiness.

To aspire to realize ambitions and dreams is healthy and productive. We become energized and motivated to channel our talents and resources toward fulfilling goals. Curiously, behavioral studies indicate that achieving the ultimate target does not afford the most joy. The excitement and thrill of the quest mostly end, once the objective is reached. In point of fact, the personally gratifying events encountered along the way, in pursuit of the prize are found to be the experiences most cherished. The journey, it turns out, becomes more rewarding than the destination.

In essence, we need to focus on strengthening and deepening appreciation for the good in our lives. Choose to be continually thankful for innate strengths, the blessings of the here and now, personal accomplishments, the goodwill of others, etc. These appreciative feelings help create a purposeful sense of happiness. In turn, such sense of happiness builds up feelings of gratitude.

The goal is to create a healthy cycle of thankfulness. Begin with visualizing images of appreciative thoughts…………………… I am thankful for ______. The next step is the overt expression of gratitude toward others through words and deeds. Energy and effort must be directed to repeat the grateful thoughts and behaviors sequence, as often as possible, to the point that the practice becomes an essential component of one’s daily routine.

To Our Dear Soul mates

Based on either limited, perchance, far and wide, extensive dating experiences, the thrills, chills, wills (will they or won’t they), ills (worries and anxieties) and bills (dating and dining expenses) associated with meeting someone new, often stir up romantic prospects. Inevitably, as multiple interactions ensue, expectations brew… can the new relationship possibly lead toward the path of a serious and lasting union?

Whatever type of spark jump starts a relationship; fate, physical attraction, chemistry, luck, shared interests, friendship, etc., if destined to be, certain time-honored steps are set in motion which initiate the process for enamored and devoted couples to spend their lives together. The commitment phase may consist simply of an exchange of informal vows between lovers, possibly, a small ceremony with immediate family members. On a grander scale, there may be lavish celebrations with multitudes in attendance.

For expediency sake, let us skip the ceremonial details and fast forward to relationship certainties, which sooner or later, transpire in typical households. As time lapses for vet partners, pertaining to those of us who have been there, done that,