Appreciation is one of our languages of love. Studies show that feeling appreciated is one of our deepest emotional needs as well. Japanese scientist Dr. Masaru Emoto is widely known for his work on how positive and negative energies affect the shapes of crystals formed by water. He states in his book, The Hidden Messages of Water, “The vibration of good words has a positive effect on our world, whereas the vibration from negative words has the power to destroy.”
Research has specifically demonstrated the effect of the vibrational frequency of love on our physical world and substantiates our ability to transform the world through radiating love. Dr. Masaru Emoto’s core message is that love in the form of gratitude, affects us, not just on emotional and spiritual levels, but on cellular and molecular levels as well. He speaks to the impact that love and gratitude can have on the world, “I particularly remember one photograph. It was the most beautiful and delicate crystal that I had so far seen—formed by being exposed to the words ‘love and gratitude.’ It was as if the water had rejoiced and celebrated by creating a flower in bloom. It was so beautiful that I can say that it actually changed my life from that moment on.”
Appreciation opens you to feelings of love, vulnerability, and intimacy. Here are five ways you can honor someone by expressing appreciation and gratitude for their being.
Even though you don’t expect your partner to bring you coffee in the morning, make dinner, or clean up the kitchen, you can show appreciation by saying, “I appreciate that you think of me when you bring me that morning cup of coffee.” Or, “You realized how tired I was after work, and it was thoughtful of you to make dinner,” Or simply, “Thank you for cleaning the kitchen.” Expressing gratitude, especially for the little things that occur each day, invites in more love, and heightens intimacy. The little things do make all the difference.
Begin each day in gratitude with your partner, aware that there are challenges ahead but trusting that you will not be given more than you can handle. Visualize an image of the best your lives have ever been, and set an intention to make them even better no matter what has happened in your past.
Over the course of the day, keep a journal of things for which you’re grateful. Share three good things that happen each day with a friend or partner, and go out of your way to show gratitude when others assist or support you. Enhance the practice by repeating the mantra, “I am a blessed being,” or, “I bless myself, my fellow human beings, and the earth.”
While inhaling, breathe in love to yourself; when exhaling, breathe love out to others. Do this until your breath is rhythmic, and you feel calm and centered. Then, for at least a minute, let your energies expand outward in gratitude or compassion for another person.
Affirm your partner by beginning each morning with words of gratitude for him or her and sharing intentions for the day ahead. Throughout the day, show appreciation for a friend or partner through spontaneous calls, e-mails, or text messages to say, “I love you” or “I am thinking of you.” Remember that it’s always the right time to tell someone that you love them.
Live in a constant stream of gratitude. Wake up every morning with a sense of appreciation and a healthy anticipation for what the universe has in store for you. Before your feet even touch the floor, our open your heart and give thanks for the day in front of you. Speak gratefully throughout the day about even the simplest things.
