LetS appreciate oursefves

f N ry years as a college and professionlal baseball player I learned many things. One of the things I learned to do as well as almost anything else was beat myself up. I became a master, along lvith many of my teammates, at being hard on myself and "never being satisfied." These were traits taught to me, directly or indirectly, by those around me. I was told that if I was hard enough on myself and never got comolacent. I'd be successful in baseball and Johns

By Mike Robbins

in life.

However. rvhen my career ended abruptly due to injury, I realized looking back on my 18 years in competitive baseball that I had one major regret. I had beat- en myself up so much as an athlete. I forgot to enjoy rvhat I rvas doing. Being so focused on "making it" and overcoming my "weaknesses," I had not taken time to appreciate myself and my success along the way. In hindsight, I can see that this obsession rvith being hard on myself (in the name of commitment and success) not only had a negative impact on my level of enjoyment, but on my results as well.

This experience is clearly not unique to me. Many of us spend too much time listening to that negative internal voice that tells us we aren't good enough and focusing on what we are doing wrong. As I work with clients and speak to groups about appreciation, I hear people say things like, "I'm my own worst enemy," or, "l never even think to stop and appreciate myself." There is an epidemic in our society of people being self-critical, somehow thinking that being hard on themselves will make them more successful, happy and allow them to reach their goals in life. Sadly, this does not work.

As challenging and counter-intuitive as it may seem, the best remedy for this negative obsession is genuine self-appreciation. In the midst of our busy lives, our daily activities, our successes, and even our struggles, it is important for us to stop and truly appreciate ourselves. For many of us, self-appreciation can be challenging. We have been trained to beat ourselves up, to be self-deprecating, and many of us simply haven't been encouraged to genuinely focus on rvhat we like and admire about ourselves. However, true self-appreciation is not about being arrogant; it's about loving and honoring ourselves for all that we do and for all that we are. Self-appreciation is the key to true success and fulfillment. The great news is that we have access to appreciating ourselves in every moment; it's simply a choice.

Create a "Sunshine File"

A "sunshine file" is an important folder that you put in your desk drawer (or somewhere else close to you). In this folder, you put any and all expressions of gratitude or appreciation that you receive...about YOU. Thank you notes, cards, photos, awards, etc., can go into this folder. Include anything that makes you feel good or reminds you of your own greatness. Keep this folder close at hand and on a regular basis take it out and look through it. Looking at your sunshine file will continue to remind you of the good things you are doing, how much people appreciate you, and the progress you are making. This file can also be very helpful when things get tough. Often in the midst of challenging times. we forget to appreciate ourselves. lronically, it's when things get difficult that it's most important to remember the good stuff and to appreciate ourselves.

Mike Robbins is a former pro baseball player who is an e.tpert in success, teunlwork and the power of appreciation. Reaclt hint at ( 92 5 ) 82 5 -2 3 1 9 or *'v,v'.nti ke -robbins.L om.

NoRTHERN CALIFoRNIA building material dealer Central Valley Builders Supply marked its 50th anniversarv recenllv with simultaneous celebrations at all four oi its locations. On July 15, yards in St. Helena, Napa, American Canyon and Woodland treated guests to barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs, salad, and binhday cake, and each gave away 50 raffle prrzes. On July 22, key customers and employees dined, danced and gambled lhe night away on a yacht cruise on San

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Hrligh Acc Halclrvare. Sacranre nto. Ca.. installecl an ortsitc solal electric system that r'vill reducc clectt'ical usa-ec durirr-s pcak hours. help clccrcase harrlfirl crrissiorts. and savc thc store nlone) on cncrgy.

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Francisco Bay. Central Valley was launched in St. Helena in 1955 by Pat and Evy Patterson, with one forklift, one truck and three employees. The third generation of the Patterson family, Steve, has been president since 2004. In St. Helena, clockwise from (lower left) Scott Hart, Jenny Hernandez, Nicole Davis. (Top left) Historical display in the office. (Top center) Chef Steve Quatran, (Top right) Ramona Gibb, Nicole Davis and Holly Corna decorate.

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Home Depot Clerk Charged

A cashier at Home Depot, Delano, Ca., is accused of embezzling $4,000. According to police, Yesenia

Alvarez, 22, was arrested and charged on suspicion of letting people take $4,000 worth of merchandise past her checkout stand withhout paying for it.