Delsie Martin

people around us don’t need to hear appreciation, even for the small things. Saying, “Hey, I appreciate you” or “You are doing a great job” or “Your presence makes a positive difference in my life” doesn’t take a whole lot of our time but makes such a profound difference in the well being of others. Giving an appreciation may feel awkward at first if it’s not something that you are used to doing, you may feel like a total weirdo and others may respond like you are a total weirdo but I promise that it becomes easier and if you emanate positivity, positivity will eventually come to you.

often as you can and make giving affirmation part of your daily routine.

Here are some examples of affirmations if you are at a loss for words:

“I appreciate you when you do_______because it makes me feel ______”

“You are loved”

“You matter to me”

“I was thinking about you today and it made me feel_____”

‘I know I don’t reach out enough but I wanted you to know that you are important to me”

“You have made a positive difference in my life”

2 cups flour

2 Tbsp. ground flax seed

1/4 cup brown sugar

3 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 eggs

1/4 cup vegetable oil 2 cups milk

1 medium to large apple peeled and grated

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, and milk. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and mix gently until just barely combined. Gently fold in the grated apple. Preheat a frying pan over medium heat. Lightly grease the hot frying pan and pour the batter by 1/3 cup scoops onto the pan. Cook until there are bubbles across the surface of the pancake. Flip and cook an additional 1-2 minutes, or until cooked through.

The act of receiving an appreciation, even once, has a massive effect on the dopamine levels in the brain, our sense of well being and our perceived ability to succeed in life. Can you imagine the positive effect that this could have if we regularly received affirmation and appreciation from our loved ones? Can you imagine how much more effective professionals would be in their jobs or their feelings of well being at their work if they were regularly told what they were doing well or that they were making a difference? We absolutely cannot assume that the

Today, I have a challenge for you. Send a text or email to both a loved one and a professional that you love and tell them what you appreciate about them or how their presence in your life is significant. I promise that it will make them AND you feel great. I want to encourage you to repeat this exercise as

Delsie Martin (BA, BSW RSW, MSW candidate) is a masters of social work student with the University of Calgary. Anyone who may have feedback on the column or wish to have a question anonymously answered as part of the weekly column may reach Martin at delsiemartin@ trueyoutherapy.ca. Martin’s podcast, The Relationship Review, can be found on Apple, Amazon, Google and Spotify podcast platforms.