#My10CommandmentsOfRelationships ~ (7) APPRECIATE!

“Don’t go chasing waterfalls please stick to the rivers and the lakes you’re used to” is a song by TLC which was quite popular when we were in our teens. It resonates with my next commandment when in a relationship- “APPRECIATION”.  I believe people who cheat do so because they never appreciate what they have. (Click here and tweet this).

Appreciation I believe means to increase in value without any further look into the dictionary. Every commandment we’ve learnt so far regarding relationship connects to this commandment of “appreciation”. When the attraction is mutual, you relate to your kind which also means you go for what you need. It’s only through this that you can have a common vision for the purpose set forth. Finally you will understand why I have been saying make it a win- win deal. I doubt if you will hurt someone you truly respect. (Click here and tweet this).

Appreciation becomes the next commandment to practise. Until you are satisfied with what you have, you will never put value on it or appreciate it.  Personally and from others I have remonstrated, not being appreciated is the worst that can happen to the desire a person has in relating. Ever killed yourself for someone or for a purpose and not received even a nod or word of appreciation? You felt angry and disenfranchised. You know why…there is an innate desire in everyone to be patted on the back, given a look of acceptance and to be told thank you. (Click here and tweet this).

Appreciation is what empowers a person into doing more and also exceed or stretch themselves beyond the norm. (Click here and tweet this). It stirs within you a supernatural ability that transcends your everyday strength.  The currency for longevity and promotion is “APPRECIATION”. Society is now been filled with whiners and complainers. We complain almost about everything without due appreciation for the things we freely have. Others  will relish an opportunity just to have a taste of what you easily discard and dismiss with impunity. 

When the truth of God’s word hit me hard a few years ago, I came to one conclusion- I appreciate my experiences and the person I have become inspite of my short comings. This is the only way you can move forward despite your past and what it represents. Ebenezer simply means this is how far God has brought us! (Click here and tweet this).

David of bible times teaches us the power in appreciation even in the face of imminent death from the enemy. Inspite of all King Saul did in order to kill him, when he had the opportunity he did the opposite. (Click here and tweet this). He protested vehemently against being pushed by his compatriots to spill innocent blood. Secret- he was a “nobody” even when he Killed Goliath. It took the acceptance of King Saul into the palace to bring him into prominence. He was forever indebted to the kind gesture of the King and had always harboured an immense amount of Appreciation for the King.

If you learn to appreciate, it will be easy to forecast for the years ahead. Relationships no longer have longevity because many easily discard the rivers and the lakes they’ve been used to for the waterfalls at the least whim.

Question: What does APPRECIATION mean to you in a relationship? Kindly leave your comments on the blog.

Yours In His Service

Joe Akuoko II

#My10CommandmentsOfRelationships ~ (6) RESPECT!!

The dictionary defines respect “as an esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability”. To be respected in any relationship you find yourself in is to give due admiration for the other party inspite of the weaknesses exhibited. Respect is something every human being craves. It’s synonymous to placing value on an object. Anytime you place value on something, you esteem it. (Click here and tweet this). Anything that is esteemed tends to exhibit its best. Let us face it, we all desire respect and we thrive well where we are respected.

It takes so much boldness to commit your vision, dreams and finally yourself to a relationship. (Click here and tweet this). Thus when respect is trampled underfoot it maims a person’s ability to produce their best. Respect is a natural course of life and you can’t avoid it. Interestingly God respects you! Because of the enormity of God's respect for us, He has freely blessed us with talents, gifts and abilities without any input from us. Respect I believe is one of the core pillars for any successful relationship. (Click here and tweet this). 

I have seen people who followed dreams, businesses, and even fall in love with people they truly don’t have any respect for. The end result has been disaster! Many women and men often stay in a relationship inspite of the constant disrespect meted out to them. Sometimes I wonder why people justify their presence in certain relationships! To be respected is for someone to say “I have confidence in you inspite of your short-coming and that am willing to help you if you allow me. If peradventure you don’t need help, I wouldn’t abandon the purpose for which I am in this relationship for.”

We don’t have to think the same in a relationship but your ability to respect the others opinion is paramount as it engenders a sense of well being. (Click here and tweet this).  Two people, plans or ideas will never be the same. When the common ground is found through respect, we can move forward in progress. Where there is no respect, suspicions reign supreme. My ability to respect the next person determines my desire to go the extra mile in making sure the purpose for which we have set ourselves for will surely be achieved.

The only time we lose respect is when your values are not clear. (Click here and tweet this). A haphazard way of relating isn’t the best way to gain respect.  Respect isn’t demanded it’s commanded and you do so by your deeds. If your deeds are genuine and straight forward, respect automatically springs up. In the mind of the other person, the word “I can trust you" is stirred up.

  

Respect is a must because many people in positions of authority in our times have lost the legitimacy and credibility to lead. The lack of integrity is so much pervasive in society these days. It will behove those of us desiring prosperous relationships to take a stand for respect. When you have integrity and your deeds can be substantiated, people will put you on pedestal of respect. (Click here and tweet this) On the contrary, when you demand respect, it’s a display of weakness and a sign of a complex. It tells the other person you are inadequate and cannot be trusted.

Questions: What does respect mean to you in relationship? Kindly leave your comments on the blog.

Yours In His Service

Joe Akuoko II