A lot of people do not know the value of what they have nor recognise it until they lose it. In the same way, there are people who will not take notice of the good things that you have been doing for them until the moment that you stop doing them. The world, and life itself, is full of kindness, good gestures, goodwill, and sacrifices which largely go unnoticed. Have you ever been in a situation where you try all that you could and even go an extra mile to provide support or help to someone, yet it is taken for granted? The feeling is usually unwelcoming. This is why you have to learn prompt appreciation. Know that for someone to have done good for you, there may be things that they had to sacrifice, so do not take it for granted.
Over the years, I have come to realise that it is very common for family members, friends, and even close acquaintances to take one's acts of goodness for granted than even strangers because of the sense of entitlement that they often have. I once heard a lady make a statement about his boyfriend, she said "he should do it for me, because I am his girlfriend." I sensed an entitlement mentality from the statement. That he is your boyfriend does not mean you should automatically be entitled to anything, so when he does something for you, you should learn to appreciate it.
It is so sad that over-familiarity is one of the causes why people take acts of kindness for granted. Some people even think that the kindness is supposed to be always there because it had become a routine. For example; doing something for someone over and again without even receiving a "thank you" because the person thinks that it is their right. But when the person decides to withdraw the good, the person will begin to feel the impact of it. Ironically, it is at the moment of absence that a lot of people will begin to recognise and appreciate what they had.
In a friendship for example, you may have that one friend that will always check up on you and care to know how you feel. You may feel like the care is normal until you lose it, then you will realise that it is a privilege that should be appreciated. In fact, in this era and at this time where everyone is so busy pursuing after their own things, for someone to still remember you and check up on you should be appreciated. Each time someone does something good to you or shows kindness to you, even if it may look too small, try to appreciate it.
There was a time when one of my friends had a gateman, who also does other services for him. The gateman would wash his car, ensures the compound was clean, and many other things. My friend overlooked all those services, even when I tried to point out to him that he should be appreciating him asides his salary, he just said that he is doing his work. When the gateman left, he got another gateman and also expected him to do all those things that the former gateman did, but he told him that it is not part of his job description and if he wants him to do it, he needs to pay him for it. It was that time that he missed the former gateman. It is sad that some people tend to appreciate the value of something after they have lost it.
You do not have to wait until you have lost a privilege or something before you recognise and appreciate it. Learn to show recognition and appreciation before it becomes late, so that what you should have been appreciative of will not be lost. The simple "thank you" that you tell someone who has given their time, energy, or resources to show you kindness will go a long way to encourage them to do more. You will agree with me that when people feel motivated, they tend to do more and even go an extra mile for the person. Remember that no one owes you kindness, so learn to appreciate the one you receive.
Thanks for reading
