I find that appreciation occurs when your thoughts start revolving around something, simultaneously evaluating and tracing its sentimental value to you. This means to say, you start developing appreciation for things around you only when you start to think about it. In the same breath, as you think about something, or even someone, you track back to the past, relinquish the unique energy that was exuded from that entity and discover what this thing or person means to you.
More often than not, we do not cherish things or people around us till they are gone for good. Appreciation ignites like a spark of flame the moment you think about it and the feeling of losing something fangs your heart so deep that you feel agony and remorse. Irrefutably, everyone (including myself) has to concede that we have unknowingly and unintentionally taken things for granted before because most of the time, we are not actively engaging in moments of appreciation where we pause and admire the very presence of something. It is inevitable yet immutable. However, even so, it does not warrant us the right to treat people or things like we deserve them. Occasionally, we should think about what they mean to you and what place do they hold in your heart. This helps keep your attitude towards them in check to prevent digression of mutual respect and ensures that valuing is a two-way thing.
I learned the value of appreciation after looking back into the past, looking into the future and relating emotions to the present. I remember when I was Primary 2, my 2nd Aunt called me up at night and asked if I wanted to stay at her house. She doted me the most. Always inviting me to her house for a stayover on a Saturday and waking up early next morning to accompany her to Wesley Methodist Church. Things she'd do to make me happy like buying toys and treating me to my favourite char siew pao. She loved me so much, yet I was too young and immature to appreciate her undying love for me.
Upon receiving her call, I turned her down for once because I wanted to go for a sleepover at my 3rd Aunt's house with my cousin who has way cooler stuff like Gameboy. Never have I expected, that was the last phone call from my 2nd Aunt.... She passed away days later. Up till today, what caused her death was not made known to me. Some days when I think back, I could have expressed my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the things she had done for me should I have known what was going the happen, despite my young age. I could have said yes and accompanied her during her final days, give her joy that helps her depart in peace. Suddenly, everything she had done for me became so significant, I'm overwhelmed with thankfulness. It pains me to correct my grammar and change "she has done" to "she HAD done"....
Kinda deviated a lil' from topic but my point still stands valid, appreciate things from time to time. Although it's difficult to put yourself in that emotional perspective, try and admire the positive aspects that you value in the person or thing, because you never know when's it going to be your last opportunity to see them.
~Have a good one. Signing off~
