In a world where rectangle objects are reigning mankind’s attention, what does it mean to look at someone in the eye when greeting them?

When talking to someone in an era where a plastic object is beeping and flashing in one’s trouser pocket at all times, what does it mean to listen wholeheartedly, without any other distractions intruding in the conversation?

What does it mean to someone to know that the person they are interacting with is one hundred percent engaged, fully alive and here, right now.

We would like to think this is the very least we can offer those who we love. Those who have made us – at one point in our life – smile during a time of despair, laugh until our stomachs hurt, feel comforted at the sacrifice of their time and commitments.

If not a sign of appreciation, just to be of common courtesy and respect.

We are presented today with an inevitable influx of mass information coming from all variety of sources right to handheld devices rarely to be seen any further than an arm-length from our person.

So would it be worth considering the most primordial question when in the presence of loved ones:

Am I here?

> Appreciation

əpriːʃɪˈeɪʃ(ə)n,-sɪ-/

noun:

recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something.

I appreciate the winter’s beautiful breeze.

I appreciate the spectrum of wonderful colours.

I appreciate the diversity of stunning animals.

I appreciate the complexity of the human body.

I appreciate the experience of human emotion.

I appreciate the creations of man.

I appreciate the elegance of still water.

I appreciate the gleaming sun.

I appreciate the perfect fall of rain.

I appreciate the intricacy of a snowflake.

I appreciate the beauty of trees.

[Read more…]

Let’s start.

We are all busy, but let’s start.

Not because we have a plan, not because it’s going to be easy. Not even because we will succeed. But simply because we can.

A helping hand, a positive gesture, a day of service, a donation online, a compassionate thought, a best wish, a loving card, a 60 second call, a letter, a text, an article.

Everyone now has a voice. It’s our combined efforts that will win the day.