ON APPRECIATION – ITS BENEFITS & ILL-EFFECTS ON OVERINDULGENCE
Fact stands out, all want praise from others for whatever we do or do not do. Total detachment from the fruits of our action, on the surface seems good, but difficult to be attained easily. There are very few people who do not want appreciation for a task well done. Appreciation serves as a motivation or inspiration to move ahead notwithstanding hurdles. It serves as nourishment for our mind and infuses positivism to face the vicissitudes of our lives without much botheration. Care ought to be exercised that approval or disapproval in right doses and at right time serves as a tonic in our lives.
RIGHT APPRECIATION INFUSES CONFIDENCE BUT WRONG DISAPPROVAL BRINGS ABOUT DISAPPOINTMENT
It has been carved in stone that praise motivates and inspires us but disapproval oftentimes proves counterproductive and regressive step. It is well said, right appreciation for right thoughts and actions brings about positive results. It is relevant to relate a true instance of a twelve year old student, an intelligent one in her studies, studying in 8th standard. One day she was rebuked by her English teacher without plausible reason. She was reprimanded for the fault of her classmate. Meaning the teacher concerned did not investigate the veracity of the case but heaped innuendoes without scrutiny. On that particular day, her confidence was at its lowest ebb. She was so much depressed that her performance in the class test that day was below par – proving that condemnation unreasonably could result in dissipation of confidence. This goes to prove that when our performance is commended, we are inspired whereas when we are pointlessly reprimanded we feel dejected and our body and mind do not work in sync. This also goes to prove that we tend to be in disturbed state of mind when somebody insinuates against us unreasonably.
STAYING BALANCED BOTH IN APPRECIATION AND CONDEMNATION
When nothing works, detachment from the fruits of our work saves us from many blushes. The balance could be attained through a variety of experiences wherein failure or success does not disappoint us. Those who are alike to friend foe, equipoise in honor and dishonor, cold and heat, joy and sorrow, and are free from all unfavorable association; those who take praise and reproach alike, who are given to silent contemplation, content with what comes their way, without attachment to the place of residence, whose intellect is firmly fixed in Me, and who are full of devotion to Me, such persons are very dear to Me. BHAGWAD GITA.
HUMANS ARE ATTENTION SEEKERS
We humans need appreciation for getting fillip to our efforts. We are all attention seekers in one form or other since we cannot function in isolation. But we have to reciprocate this appreciation and attention to others as well. In any organization, it is paramount to critically analyze others job and appreciate where appreciation is needed. There are the people who are of the opinion that we can get job done only through criticizing others on the basis of maxim: spare the rod spoil the child. But this idea goes against the holistic growth and development of a child
APPRECIATING OTHERS TO SHOW OUR GRATITUDE
While talking about appreciation, I am of the firm conviction that we as humans have to learn from each other and enhance our know-how as nothing tangible could be fructified, to its perfection, in isolation. It should always be kept in mind that anybody any time could commit mistake. Whosoever thinks that he/she is perfect is living in fool’s paradise. We have to be grateful and bestow appreciation to our fellow beings for coming to our succor as and when it is required.
APPRECIATION AND CRITICISM
It is not through criticism only that we can teach our students. Here the teachers concerned have the special responsibility. While imparting lessons, the teachers should showcase appreciation whenever it is required. The teacher should never forget that he/she could also commit mistake. What happened today is a pointer in this respect. While using the appropriate for solving a question, the Maths teacher faulted in using a wrong formula while conducting online studies. One of the students pointed this out. Instead of appreciating the pointed out mistake, the teacher concerned criticized the student. This irrational criticism had a miserable affect on the student for her initiative.
OVERINDULGENCE IN APPRECIATION PROVES COUNTERPRODUCTIE
It should never be forgotten that appreciation for a job well done is essential for bestowing necessary fillip to our motivation but over-indulgence in praise will defeat the very purpose of appreciation. It will fall under the category of sycophancy or flattery. We all know that sycophancy or flattery, in any form, takes away any positive effect which we intend to generate.
Also, when we exaggerate the admiration without much substance in such an appreciation, we consciously or unconsciously, lose sight of the principles of natural justice and fair-play. This act of ours creates misunderstanding rather than proving a shot in the arm both for the one who is giving appreciation and the person for whom the same is meant.
Importantly, it goes without saying that giving genuine is good but being very theatrical in showering approbation when the same is not needed at all then the outcome will not be as rosy and encouraging. It will do more harm to the giver and the taker alike. It all goes to show that appreciating when appreciation is needed is the best course of action for us but showering more appreciation than considered necessary produces negative impact.
If our experience is any guide, our children are like the delicate plants in the garden of our sweet home, the manner in which our plants are looked after, watered, sheltered from elements besides bestowing caring protection from time to time. Oftentimes, it has been observed that our children too need safeguards just like tender plants. They are to be guided properly from childhood itself, given right dose of value system, taught cultural modes of behavior in the form of reward in the form of appreciation and disapproval when course correction is required. Therefore, admiration at right time and at right dosages proves panacea for holistic growth and development.
