Let's build a more appreciative world!
The Appreciation Effect's monthly newsletter starts NOW
You’re receiving the Appreciation Effect’s first newsletter! Most of you signed up while participating in an appreciation campaign, as a campaign starter, a recipient, or a note writer. Over one thousand of you have already signed up for the mailing list, so we’re gratified to know there’s a desire to learn what we’re doing and get involved in spreading gratitude and appreciation in the world. (If you don't have space for these or are trying to cut down on email noise -- we totally get it. There’s an unsubscribe button on the bottom.)
This newsletter split into five short sections: Thoughts | Quotes| Testimonials | Prompt | Ask
1. Thoughts
Where Drew and Douglas share what’s on their mind.
Our goal with the Appreciation Effect is to get one million people appreciated. Why? because so many things in our world make us feel like we’re not doing enough or we aren’t enough. Appreciation Campaigns are our humble attempt to counterbalance these distorting messages with authentic notes of appreciation from people in our lives. One million people appreciated is a million people living from a place of abundance instead of from a position of scarcity. Imagine the ripples. We are so excited to bring the effect of appreciation into being with you all.
The systems engineer and environmental scientist Donella Meadows wrote:
"People don't need enormous cars; they need admiration and respect. They don't need a constant stream of new clothes; they need to feel that others consider them to be attractive, and they need excitement and variety and beauty. People don't need electronic entertainment; they need something interesting to occupy their minds and emotions. And so forth.
Trying to fill real but nonmaterial needs—for identity, community, self-esteem, challenge, love, joy—with material things is to set up an unquenchable appetite for false solutions to never-satisfied longings. — Donella Meadows, The Limits to Growth,
Getting more things will never satisfy us. It's giving and receiving gratitude that fulfills the some of the actual needs we have in life: identity, belonging, love and joy.
A million people operating from a place of enoughness. That’s why we’re doing the Appreciation Effect. Join us.
warmly,
Douglas and Drew
2. Quotes
Where we share inspiration and wisdom about gratitude and appreciation.
“Gratitude is universal spiritual wisdom, and it is sufficient.” —Terry Patten
“Practicing gratitude increases our appreciation for life. It brings balance to those parts of the self that have cultivated attachment to our suffering, causing us to feel victimized by life.” — Stephen Levine
“The most fortunate are those who have a wonderful capacity to appreciate again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder and even ecstasy.” — Abraham Maslow
3. Testimonials
So far, we’ve had 400 appreciation campaigns! We love what Recipients say to their note writers after their campaigns end. We got permission to share these:
“I can't begin to describe how overwhelmed I was by each of your notes. I've re-read each of your notes many times and I can say through the tears and smiles they brought on, I am for the first time in my life able to truly accept and embrace all of the love you sent my way and I can't begin to thank you enough. Just remember that love is a two way street and I'm here for each of you always. One of my favorite learnings from my journey is what I'd like to leave you with as a final thanks: Vulnerability breeds strength.” — Jed.
“Thank you so much for taking the time to send me a note. It was such a sweet surprise each day and I know I'll hold onto your heartfelt words. May we all continuously feel each others' appreciation and love, in moments both dark and bright. Let's keep this going-who's next? Gratitude is truly contagious ;) Thanks again for all the love, it means a great deal to me.” — Jocelyn
Start an appreciation campaign today. Have a birthday or other big transition in the future? Set a reminder for a future campaign.
4. Prompt
A query to help you be grateful this month:
Who has helped you become the person you are today? Could you let them know?
5. Ask
Our goal is to have one million people given the gift of appreciation. Can you help us out?
If you were a Recipient of a campaign, we’d love to interview you. We want to hear how you felt receiving an appreciation campaign, what moment was the peak experience, and what, if any, were the lasting impacts for you. We’d also like to record it and use snippets to promote the Appreciation Effect and, more generally, gratitude and appreciation in the world.
If you’re willing, just hit “Reply” to this email or reach out to us at connect@theappreciationeffect.com. Thank you!
♥️