A Tale of Two Apples: A LESSON IN GRATITUDE

A few years ago, I had just finished facilitating an in-person leadership workshop, when one of the participants approached me and set a lovely gift bag down on a near-by table, as a thank-you to me for helping the team "find their voices as leaders."

As I peered into the bag, I saw a very red and shiny apple peeking out from the tissue paper. Aah, a lovely and delicious apple for the teacher...how cute I thought. I immediately smiled and expressed my thanks and told them I look forward to working with them again in a few months.

The participants left the room and I collected the rest of my belongings and also grabbed the gift bag to leave. But when I lifted the bag, I noticed how heavy it was. In fact, it was too heavy for just 1 apple(!) so could there be more than just apples in the bag?

When I set the bag back down and opened it up and reached for the apple, I was shocked at what my fingers touched. The apple was very cold, very hard and very-very heavy. Because it was made of marble. What I thought was an above-average tree-grown apple for me to enjoy later at home, was in fact a beautiful marble apple that could be used as a paperweight and a grateful reminder of our time together in this workshop.

Oh boy...I felt like a fool. Not only had I not properly acknowledged their gift for what it was, I had dismissed it in my mind as just a cute souvenir. And it didn't matter if the apple was real or marble, I had not intentionally expressed by appreciation for their wonderful gesture. I had let the judge in my brain overrule the human in my heart and I treated this as just another "transaction"...something to check-off, say a quick thanks and then move on to my next task. Yikes!

Luckily, like a lot of our experiences, I was able to use this as a lesson to apply immediately in my life. I started using this apple as a tangible reminder to slow down and appreciate all that surrounds me....my environment, community, family, friends, colleagues, strangers, opinions, contrast...and to ensure that express my appreciation in a very deliberate and intentional way. Nothing is more important that to let someone else know how much we appreciate them. That goes for appreciating ourselves as well. Take.the.time.

Practice the intentional art of gratitude and appreciation, our community bonds in harmony when we do. Your job is not to change the world. Your job is to change yourself so our world will change.

Thank you for reading my "apple a day lesson!" ??????