APPRECIATION

 And then everyone stood up and clapped with one of my friend whispering into my ears” Wow  Prateek the whole public administration department is clapping for you “ It took me a while to fathom the significance of the situation.

So back in 9th class in my school there was an essay competition on “Environment “ to be written in English language and I having come from Hindi Medium somehow managed to write the essay inadvertently and incoherently . And I was aghast when the news came out that my essay was selected as one of two top essays . 

So a vast majority of students were taken to parade for raising  environment awareness and then to Public district administration department where top administrative officers were present . I was one of many student sitting in the big hall of the office . 

After some important speeches by top officials and some functions later one officer went “So in essay competition top two essays have been chosen. One is  by Rahul ..... and other by Prateek ..... So please stand up the two of you . “ I could hardly stand up for I was too afraid to even stand up . Hesitantly I managed to stand up and was met with thunderous claps all around. And I was looking here and there as to “ what is happening , please make me sit fast “.   I didn’t know how to acknowledge the appreciation. 

It was some seconds later only when my one friend whispered into my ears “wow Prateek! whole public administration department is clapping for you” , that I calmed down a tad bit albeit then too I just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible due to standing in front of so many people. Haha in retrospect I feel proud of myself for that effort in essay despite the language being a significant barrier for me that time. Later  I was appreciated by my teachers and parents and family when I told them about the same . 

Appreciation is that feel good factor . When you are appreciated for your effort and recognised and rewarded for the same , you tend to get some momentum going and feel good about the things . It’s an indication that you  are in right direction and it manages to stimulate your desire to produce such more work/performance.

Like when in  times of need when you provide a helping hand to the needy and later they thank you for that genuinely that appreciation is an indication of a task done well.

So if a customer in your workplace has written you an appreciation letter citing how you have changed his perception towards your organisation and how down to earth you are . 

That is a testament to what you have achieved and sincere effort you put into your work . When someone appreciates you with all honesty that helps you massively and fosters growth personally as well as professionally. 

Likewise when you secure top ranks  in your college and a medal/trophy is to be given to you , that is a way to appreciate your efforts .

 

As a saying goes”don’t forget a person’s greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated .“ And that holds true . Little appreciation goes a long way in manifesting someone’s effort into reality and encouraging him/her.

However when we are not appreciated at all or not enough , we shouldn’t feel dejected . For sometimes the light needs to come from inside  despite the tumultuous situation/time . We need to grind it out ,with even better effort .For appreciation certainly is not the end in itself , it is morale booster in the journey. But the indispensable thing is to put incessant effort in the direction of our aim and once achieved the pride and appreciation by our own self for our own self , will be a sight to behold and the inner voice will be something to listen again and again . And that will be a moment of sheer joy and happiness .