Appreciation can be said to be  a heartfelt expression of Gratitude towards a person/persons for an act of goodwill done.  It can be a simple expression in words or a parting of a thing of value (a gift) to show the level or magnitude of appreciation for  such an honour done to him or her

A MISPLACED APPRECIATION

Austine Kay

Appreciation can be said to be  a heartfelt expression of Gratitude towards a person/persons for an act of goodwill done.  It can be a simple expression in words or a parting of a thing of value (a gift) to show the level or magnitude of appreciation for  such an honour done to him or her. However this may be coloured by the complexities of the individual involved. 

Now the question is, from whose perspective  the value of such expressions of appreciation should be determined?:- is it from the viewpoint of the Giver or the Receiver. Further, should the Giver have to consider the status and stature of the Receiver before he /she decides on the mode of appreciation or it should purely be based on his/her emotional response of the honour done to him/her? 

Truth be told, expression of gratitude is a key and powerful spiritual ritual that opens doors and it is prudent we all know how to do it right. 

A recent event I went through made me think about these things and wanting to know what precautions we need to take in the cause of appreciating somebody and not end up bruising the pride and ego of those we want to appreciate. 

I was part of a delegation that visited an aunty and her husband. They are both advanced in age and have a cousin who is taking care of them. After we finished what we were sent to do, I decided to say hello to the cousin and to thank her for the great work she is doing because my aunty spoke fondly about her during our session. When I thanked her , she took the opportunity to tell me how she went through the same ordeal with her own mother till she passed. I was touched by her story and appreciated more what she is doing. 

At that moment I forgot where I was, and only wanted to show how much I appreciated what she was doing. I took out my purse and gave her ghc20 (40% of what I had on me) . She held out the money and took it to my aunty to tell her I gave her the money. The entire place went dead silent for a moment. There my mistake dawned on me, my cousin does not lack anything worth ghc20 in that house, and I regretted my action greatly and felt so embarrassed. 

Appreciating my cousin was conceived an insult to the household.  In that instance  it would have been better for both parties if I walked away without doing anything - a Misplaced Appreciation. However, Sincerely I did not do what I did to take praise, despite/ insulting  anybody but just a spontaneous   response of gratitude.    

In my opinion, Expressions of gratitude need to be timely, genuine and spontaneous  if possible. And  It should be measured by the show of emotion  of the Giver and value he/she placed on the act done to him/her. Above all it should be done with all sincerity of heart to show how grateful one is and not from the value of the gift. 

I just hope we all learn something from my mistakes but not to be limited by it, when we go about appreciating acts of goodness to ensure our actions of appreciation do not end up dis-appreciating people we hold in high esteem. 

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