An Offering of Appreciation

when we appreciate someone, their value and significance increase

The parasha for this week is Vayikra. It discusses three different types of korbanot that a person could bring to the altar. Korbanot is the plural for korban. The korban is usually translated as a sacrifice or offering. The root of the word korban means to bring close. The person bringing a korban was trying to enhance their intimate relationship with HaShem and draw closer to HaShem. The list of korbanot included the olah(elevation), the feast shelamim(peace), and the ket(sin). Let us examine the feast shelamim offering a little deeper. This offering was for someone who wanted to express thankfulness, gratitude, and appreciation for an event in their life. They wanted to express this publicly. What can we learn from this korban?

Studies show being grateful can be very beneficial to our overall health. Gratitude helps you find more positivity and it can boost your happiness while reducing stress. Dr. Joe Dispenza says you can strengthen your immune system by feeling gratitude ten to fifteen minutes day. By being thankful and showing gratitude, you lessen envy and resentment toward others. Also, you can improve relationships by practicing gratitude. These are a few benefits you experience by being grateful.

Sometimes it can be easier to be grateful to someone or something at the moment, when we are receiving something, becoming a grateful person may be a little more difficult. To develop the trait of gratitude, find things to be grateful for by finding the good in your life. I remember hearing a story of a man who complained because he had no shoes until he saw someone who didn’t have feet. We always have the power to choose how we view a situation. Begin your day by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to live another day. You can make the most of your day if you choose.

Although we may find it easier to show gratitude at the moment when we are receiving something, it may lead to an entitlement mindset. We can guard against this by developing appreciation. When we appreciate someone or something, their significance and value increase. You can find value and significance in others. Appreciation leads to gratitude; however, gratitude doesn’t always lead to appreciation. One may be grateful for some help received but may not necessarily appreciate the people giving the help.

Improving your appreciation can be accomplished through your attitude and mindset. When you recognize the significance or value of someone, it enhances the admiration of that person. This leads to better relationships, which improves society. It is good to give thanks and to be grateful; strengthening this trait is very important. Perhaps one of the best ways to strengthen this trait is by learning how to appreciate life itself, and the people and things in your life.