A little thought on appreciation & a challenge

I was reading The Wednesday Club and a little throwaway dialogue stuck with me:

 "Perhaps that is one of the shortfalls of reality," he said. "That we have to improve it even when it is at its most beautiful...Unless the shortfall isn't in reality, but us?"..."Like Garbo, perhaps," Mrs Wiik suggested. "The whole world admires her perfect profile, but all she can think about are her big feet."

 Isn't it funny how people don't see their own beauty, or fail to value their achievements? Some people who have achieved so much are always comparing themselves to others, and feeling like they've fallen short.

I travelled halfway around the world, and spent a small fortune to see the elusive Northern Lights. After only seeing the white grey ones, I will admit I was a little disappointed. I was talking to a Russian lady, later in the trip, who grew up in the Arctic circle in Russia. She said "We saw them all the time. I didn't even know they were anything special until I moved to New York at 20. People kept going on and on about them. They were no big deal to us."

 For me seeing the Northern Lights is such a mystical, magical experience - for the Russian, it was just something that happened all the time, like a full moon.  The same thing had a very different effect on us both. Our appreciation of the Aurora is what made the difference.

What makes something special is the value you place on it. So start placing value on yourself. On your achievements, on your successes, on your looks and personality. Start to appreciate all that you have, and all that you are. Don't diminish what you do when talking to others. And don't let anyone else belittle your efforts.

I know that all sounds a little silly, but give it a go this week and see if it makes a difference. I'd love to hear you responses.

Linking with #BooknificentThursday