Appreciate Appreciate-This!

It's been one year since I started Appreciate-This. Wow it went by quickly.

I really am happy I started this blog, and a habit develops when you're always thinking of what to appreciate.

This blog isn't just to share my thoughts, but it is , and has helped me become more positive ..I think! Although I was more active on here in the beginning, and I know this year wasn't the best, but in the back of my mind there is always something to admire about what's around me.

Join the Appreciate-This Facebook fan page and share your ideas:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Appreciate-This/118590484834177

Thank you for all those who like to participate and give me ideas.

Here's to another year to appreciate!

Wesam

Appreciate-People who run for things

I was watching a live football game yesterday in Doha, and out of no where was this man running around the field high fiving the players!!! It was very amusing and I'm sure he's living with the consequences now, and no one would dare do what he did. I give him props though. He went for the moment, and he literarily ran for it. If you're excited about something, it's nice to jump in on it, and live it, rather than giving in to limiting yourself. It's nice to watch other people go for it too! It's why we like celebrities sometimes. It reminds you that anyone can do anything. It doesn't mean you should risk your life! but just stop thinking too much!

A recent colleague, and an inspiring leader passed away, Grahame Maher, CEO of Vodafone Qatar. If you see the videos and pictures that people have posted of him, you feel very inspired to live , and not waste a moment thinking and waiting. He lived every moment, and used his full potential. I don't think he ever wasted a day thinking: What if.

Appreciate:

1- watching someone getting excited about doing something they like. Watching someone ignite the light of their passion - Not in a dirty way!!- (see video below)

2- Memorable moments that people create when they do something different.

3- People remember people by the way they lived, and you want to be remembered by doing the things you love.

Shukran, appreciated,

Wesam

appreciate this October

1- This October , it'll be 10/10/10

2- Halloween!

3- Cancer awareness month

4-It's Thanksgiving in Canada (on second monday of the month)!

5- October Fest (Oktoberfest) for Germans!

6- The weather is between cold and warm. It's a month you can spend outside.

Danke, Appreciated,

Wesam

Appreciate Not Appreciating!

My friends and I were talking about how we DON'T like self-help books, because some of them make people think they can be happy all the time. I think that makes people sadder. A number of self help book authors aren't happy themselves, and they put a lot of expectations and bull**** out there!

It's so important to appreciate, and be thankful, but that doesn't mean you're expected to be happy all the time. Real happiness is, in my opinion, a peaceful heart. You make of that whatever you like.

What helps us get through bad times, is finding what we appreciate anyway. There are times when you'll be EXTREMELY HAPPY, and you'll be super appreciative i'm sure! just make sure you live it, and be real- that's what really makes you peaceful.

Appreciate Not Appreciating at times!

HUGS

Wesam

Appreciate-This today: Clothing

I appreciate clothing because:

1- they give us privacy!

2- they're fun to shop for!

3- they come in different colors

4- you have something to play with while in an awkward situation!

5- says a lot about your personality

6- in some places, says a lot about your culture, and history

7- can make you look better

8- can help you determine whether you need to lose weight or not!

9- Costume parties!

10- i just really appreciate PJs!

Have a fabulous day!

Wesam

Appreciate Forgiveness

I would like to apologize for not updating the blog for those who like to read the appreciation lists here!! I've been updating on facebook and twitter, and neglecting this blog! So Please Forgive me (hence title)! Blogs are harder to manage! But This blogspot is where appreciation started, and it won't stop!!

So here's to forgiveness:

During the holy month of Ramadan , I was praying in one of the mosques, and the Imam was talking about forgiveness. "How can you expect God to forgive you, if you don't know how to forgive yourself and others?". That one really got stuck in my head. I appreciate that there is an act of forgiveness. It can be really hard, but it's such a main ingredient in helping us notice more things to appreciate...Agree? I don't believe we should avoid anything, but to put an end to the resentment or anger at some stage.

After thinking abut forgiveness, and who I need to forgive, I began to notice and appreciate the following:

1- Listening & Talking, Reading & Writing

2- Prayers ( for people who don't pray, or if you prefer non-religious references: relying on something bigger, asking for help , having faith in yourself).

3- Growth and Matureness

4- Childlike qualities my friends and family still have! myself included!

5- Lemons! to make lemonade!

If you would like to join the facebook page and participate: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Appreciate-This/118590484834177?ref=ts

Appreciating Summer

If there's a sun outside, go out there and list a million things to appreciate.

Here's my summer appreciation list:

1- Smell of grass, fresh air (depends where you are!)

2- Vacation season, visiting friends & family

3- People are a lot more willing to exercise, and take better care of themselves

4- When you're traveling, you see people from all over the world in the airport. If you're not traveling, you still hear stories from friends on weird people they've met!

5- My birthday is in the summer!

6- New music always comes out in the summer

7- This summer will include Ramadan ( although tiring, it's still a special summer because if the spiritual addition)!

8- This summer included WORLD CUP!!!

9- You don't have to bother with your hair in the summer, the sun and heat will ruin it anyway!

10- The weather is nice, you can't complain about the weather since you've been waiting all winter for this time of year!!

Happy Summer Holidays!

MashAllah,

Wesam

Losing Things to Appreciating Things

Hello Appreciators!

I recently had quite an experience I'd like to share:

I had two jobs since i graduated, and thankfully, always been busy and working.

Eventually, you have ups and downs wherever you are, and for two years working, you are bound to feel unappreciative of what you have! I started to feel quite bored, and from time to time, naturally complain.

I recently lost my job ( no worries! just visa problems!). I felt for a moment, that maybe God is trying to show me how much i really did appreciate my job. Even made note of silly things i'm going remember, like the colors on the wall, and that I can wear jeans to work! I will say this, I never thought about how much I valued the health insurance i had from just working there!

So i kept thinking to myself 'Gosh I really wish i didn't complain a lot while i had all of this' !

However i'm a big believer in fate, and know I will find even bigger things to appreciate.. this experience in itself is something I'm sure i'll be thankful for.

The important lesson is, you can always wish for better, and you have the right to. Just while you're at it , reaally really try to remember that you're already and always lucky with what you have now! (good news for everyone)!

Merci and Watch the World Cup!

Wesam

Appreciate-This had a little break!

Appreciate-This had a one month break from appreciating things on this blog!! If you're a follower, sorry for the inconvenience.

Will be back tomorrow with at least more than once a week reminders of more things to appreciate.

'Wow'ing at things,

Wesam

LOST

It's Lost Finale Episode tonight.

If you're a LOST fan, what do you appreciate about LOST?

Here's my lost appreciation list:

1- The mystery (6 years of not knowing what's in the box!)

2- The Storyline: How everything and every character is connected

3- Every angle is included ( Science, Religion, Music, Methodology, Action..etc) Making it easy for the viewer to make their own interpretations.

4- The actors are generally good looking!

5- The characters are global (Iraqi, Australian, British, American..etc) Not just American.

6- The music score

7- It's mostly set on a beach. Makes you feel relaxed but anxious at the same time!

8- If you're loyal to watching LOST, you feel like you're able to commit to something even when it was bad! Like you love something unconditionally...(ok maybe that's just me!)

9- The title is strongly related to how the viewers feel when they watch LOST: they're just as lost as the characters!

10- You start to appreciate having a normal life where you don't have to worry about a smokey monster, or mysterious hatches!

Thank you, Appreciated,

Wesam

Appreciate-This person : Richard Branson

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Branson

Inspires me to live without thinking about WHAT IF, and just live!

Thank you, Appreciated,

Wesam

Appreciating Getting Home After a Long Day

Who's with me?

The feeling of arriving home after a long day, and knowing you can crash on your bed if you like because you deserve it!

1- hitting your head on the pillow just before you sleep

2- for girls : taking off make up

3- taking your shoes off

4- drinking water from your own kitchen, and using your own bathroom (it's true!)

5- seeing your family/ partner / pet you have at home -with hug, relief, story sharing..etc

Takk fyrir, Appreciated,

Wesam

Appreciating Team Work

The last couple of months i was participating in the production of Oliver! I just loved how everything worked together - and in the end seeing the result of the team effort from every angle. It was just goose-bumpy and nothing experienced before.

I appreciate how:

1- two heads are better than one

2- different things make ONE message

3- different voices make the harmony

4- when you celebrate the success - you celebrate it with your team! because everyone is just as happy as you are. And if you aren't celebrating, you have everyone else around you to make you feel that you're not alone. Even in small achievements/ failures.

5- You feel useful, and part of something!

i truly appreciate-this,

Wesam

Spring Appreciation Email

I was just sitting at work, and randomly receive an email from a Vodafone employee who clearly knows how to appreciate Spring.
This is the email he sent to everyone to get them in the SPRING mood - which completely made my day:

To witness these lovely days of spring time, they oblige you to take a moment with yourself to ponder the present & dream for the future!Between you & yourself, you'll enjoy a private special moments indeed, that one's when you wake up & decide to have a hot drink while you listening to Yanni or Frank Sinatra's songs for instance & being flushed with your memories that took your breath away in the past few months & you still wonder for anticipating what is left for tomorrow..Or even while you hit your favorite tracks & Run either on the road or the new Threadmill !feel the cold tender air tickled your warm body, as you run from everything… from the reality into fancy, from the truth into the unlimited dreams, even from being yourself into a Phantasm that makes you feel Unconscious and everything is so good so far… till the moment you speed at the maximum, time to push yourself beyond your will, beyond your limits… just to feel with that ecstasy & comfortable exultation.You may just sit & stare above high to the Sky, see it so clear & feel it when the golden shiny rays hit your face so gently and for a moment you feel with a shiver!That shiver when you have been flattered by the sparkling view, smell the scent of the perfumed breeze air, the sweet symphony that keeps playing in your head with high & low rhythm in a harmony with the nature,Even that magic while you walking by the sea compels you to stop and scrutinize the view that may bring some Twinkled tears in your eyes, and enforce you saying "Sobhan ALLAH" !!from this Mightiness & the Greatness of His Creatures …For the moments that flow through your mind during this perfect scenes, you may already share it with the one you love...Moreover you may wish a delicate wish to enjoy such moments with someone you really love but you couldn’t?!!Simply either you may still haven't the chance to meet the perfect one who can feel you & understand you without expressing yourself yet!!Sort of a supreme matronly innocent "love" that had been kept so well hidden in Silence! With Modesty & Dignity that completely far away from the sense of Pride or ego..just doing whatever to make them smile!!After all.. It's your own private secret moments that always renew in such times as Spring times..Tons of various wishes that you wish to be achieved since you already give yourself the unlimited permission to dream!This time of the year for me, looks like a very beautiful flourishing face that captured the heart & take the breath away from the first sight,As the sweet vivid scent that wish to last forever..From my vision I see it all more than outstanding!But, if I was capable to see it through your eyes & feel it from your soul into your heart, then it could be a multi-vision images with different multi-dimensions when it's definitely will be more "Extraordinary" than my Solo Dimension!!.. "Just a wish"!!What no eye has seen nor ear heard nor the heart of mankind known before.. It's definition of "The Heaven" itself!!But for me the heaven of God's on earth is "Spring", the most favorite time ever..If the time was cruel & harsh to make your dreams impossible to be achieved, made its painful when you see it so far, even it makes you feel with deep agony that you are disable to reach, or you may feel with bitterness & sorrow when you see it simply.. vanished!But still no one & nothing can make you Not DARE to Dream!The ultimate key for the most simple things is "Satisfaction" that holy shimmering spirit we received from ALLAH through our souls & into our hearts, So..Enjoy the SPRING everyone & feel it deeply whatever with yourselves or when you share it with the beloved ones,In all cases every one of you will find his own special way to peaceful pleased spirit … !!Happy Easter everyone !! :)

This was written by Ahmed Diab ( maybe he should write a blog?)

Shukran, appreciated,

Wesam

Practice makes Perfect

I appreciate that we can become better at something by practicing. Things become automatic, and you just become an expert overtime.

practicing brain muscles

fitness

music

math

cooking

driving

blogging! (not that i'm perfect at all!)

and even practicing appreciation listing!

Lovely, appreciated,

Wesam

Appreciating : Remembering things!

I always get ideas about appreciation items, but i honestly forget what i meant to write down for so many days, and then it's just gone! but things to appreciate are never gone! Here's to remembering:

1. Appreciating those or times when birthdays and anniversaries are remembered!

2. Appreciating the times when calls to be made, and messages to be sent are remembered!

3. Appreciating when remembering someone's name!

4. Appreciating you remember good times

5. Appreciating laughing when remembering bad times

6. Appreciating Remembrance day in Canada

7. Appreciating Memory boosting foods

8. Appreciating remembering what you were going to say!

9. Appreciating Reminiscing

10. Appreciating Remembering Dreams

Very much appreciated,

Wesam

Appreciating Mothers

Happy Mothers day here in the middle east!

Think about all the things you appreciate about mothers in general, and about your mom. If you're a mother, think about all the things you appreciate in being a mother.

The three main things i love about mothers (and my mom in particular!):

1- Unconditional love
2- Nurture
3- Comfort

Mega appreciated!

Wesam

Random Appreciation List

A number of you told me they like it when i list random things! So i'll do this more often :)

Here's my random appreciation list for today:

1. Keys

2. Sleep & pillows

3. Banks

4. Individuality

5. Glee ...!

6. Security Guards

7. Firemen

8. Carpets

9. TV

10. Privacy

11. Creativity

12. Restaurants

13. Facebook & Twitter

14. Stretches

15. Spas

16. Dreams

17. Coffee

18. Supermarkets

19. Radio

20. Randomness!!

Tack, Appreciated,

Wesam

Airplanes

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I was just thinking, what it would be like if we can't travel!

We can travel by car, and in some places, via animals! but if i wanted to go to Canada within 2 days, I just need a ticket, a passport and a bag.

* Pilots

* Orville and Wilbur Wright - Inventors

* Airplane entertainment

* If you're lucky, you sit next to interesting new people

* SOMETIMES! airplane food

* Seeing people's faces when they wait for their loved ones in arrival!

* Duty Free

* View from the top

* Landing!

Spasiba, Appreciated,

Wesam

Appreciate Your Past

http://witchiemiranda.deviantart.com/art/travel-35374345

I don't believe in coincidence. I think every moment brought us to where we are now. A lot of people want to forget their past, or they think it was bad. Appreciate your past/ or your journey for bringing you here:

1. It brought you to this blog!

2. You were/are a child

3. For me : I can eat eggs whenever i want! Maybe without my past i wouldn't be able to make eggs or even get to know what they are!

4. History taught us great lessons, and we know people like Lewis Carroll!

5. Following on previous note- great stories that were written in 1865, are now great movies!

6. Practice makes perfect

7.** Even if you're not happy now- just knowing that you're on a journey that will get you somewhere, must be an awesome feeling!

8. It's what's on your CV - Your experiences define your career, and your skills. You could have an experience by just being someone's friend, or listening.

9. A friend of mine ( Ebaa Elmelik!) told me that she appreciates rosy retrospection ( when you remember the past as being more positive than it actually was). It's good and bad, but it can help you get over the not-so-good things faster.

10. ** my favorite part: It makes you appreciate your present. Whether it's how you look much better now!! or that it actually did bring you here :) Anything that you're grateful for today, was created by your past.

Please don't think too much about your past!

Enjoy your journey, Appreciated,

Wesam