What is your deepest desire?
Franciscan spirituality and Chat GPT
You’re receiving the Appreciation Effect’s monthly newsletter! Our newsletter is split into five short sections: Thoughts | Quotes| Testimonials | Prompt | Ask
1. Thoughts
Where Drew and Douglas share what’s on their mind.
When I trained to become a Franciscan spiritual director, in our first lesson, Sister Mary Jo asked us to sit in silence for a period of time and contemplate the question:
What is your deepest desire?
In Franciscan spirituality, when you find your deepest desire, you find God. You don’t find God in letting go of your desires or sacrificing yourself, but in finding the thing you want most. “Soul activist” Francis Weller describes as your “primary satisfaction.” Everything else in life: consumerism, status, addictive substances, etc, are secondary satisfactions, things we use as substitutions for what what really fulfills.
If you spent time contemplating “What is your deepest desire?” what would you come up with?
A few months ago, I asked the AI machine Chat GPT that very same question. It replied:
“Our deepest longing is to feel connected, to feel loved, and to be accepted.
We all want to feel like we belong and that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We want to be accepted for who we are and have our unique gifts and talents appreciated. We want to feel that we are connected to others in meaningful ways, that we are loved, and that we are seen and heard. We strive for a sense of purpose and meaning in our lives, and to know that we matter and make a difference.”
The sum of humanity’s knowledge and experience came down to that. I assume you had a similar answer for yourself. That’s why we created The Appreciation Effect. What Recipients say when we talk to them afterwards is that they realized that they were loved, and accepted, as they were, without having to do anything. They realize they accepted for who we are and have their unique gifts and talents appreciated. They get a sense that their lives have meaning to those around them. In other words, it’s an experience of enoughness, or grace.
Our goal is that one million people in the world get this experience. If you know someone who you want to feel this way (perhaps yourself?), start a campaign for them.
It’s our deepest desire.
warmly,
Douglas and Drew
2. Quotes
Where we share inspiration and wisdom about gratitude and appreciation.
Giving thanks for abundance is sweeter than the abundance itself. - Rumi
The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction. - Rachel Carson
Take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention. - John O’Donohue
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:
“Who knew that this would be such a challenging time ? Having the daily notes of love were such a wonderful buoy through these stormy seas. Friendship and love are at the top of my list of important things in my life, and I want you to know how touched I have been with each and every word. Thank you for caring and keep the love going through your own life too.❤️” — Valerie
“Loved, seen, and acknowledged. Everyone should have the opportunity to know what makes them special and valued by their most cherished friends and loved ones.” — Kate
Start an appreciation campaign today. Wondering what to do for Father’s Day? It’s not too late to start a campaign. He has enough stuff already!
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 (this one comes from the Gratitude Dojo, our 12 day gratitude practice that we send to your email for free.)
Research shows that more than anything, the quality of your relationships determines your quality of life. Being grateful will improve the quality of your relationships.
There are so many people who love you. And in the daily hubbub of life, It can be easy to take it for granted. Let's turn our attention to the love people have for us today.
Make a list the people who love you.
Think of the first person and fill your heart with how they feel about you (if the thought, "Ya, but..." enters your mind, discard it. Just focus on the love).
Now do it for the next person. And then the next person. Make your way down the list.
The people who love you make life worth living. Take a good amount of time today to feel that are loved.
5. Ask
Our goal is to have one million people given the gift of appreciation. Can you help us out?
Our ask this month has to do with obstacles to starting campaigns. We regularly get great feedback about what a simple and wonderful project this is - which we love! And, we also know that most people aren't start campaigns. At least not yet.
What gives you pause and keeps you from starting a campaign for someone?
You don’t have to speak for anyone else - knowing what keeps YOU from starting a campaign would be tremendously helpful. Permission to be inarticulate in your note, Just a list of 2-3 reasons is all we need!
Overcoming the barriers to campaign creation is super high on our list of desires - thank you in advance for your thoughts and insights!
If you’re willing, just hit “Reply” to this email or reach out to us at connect@theappreciationeffect.com. Thank you!