Grasping the Essence of Appreciation

Appreciation: a loaded word, isn't it? Do you truly comprehend its depth? More importantly, do you feel appreciated? Relationships, much like everything else, operate within a value system, a system we often fail to understand fully. Allow me to guide you through it.

A Worldly Perspective on Appreciation

Let's go on a little virtual journey, shall we? A quick search on the mighty internet, our all-knowing friend Google, yields the definition of appreciation as "the recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something." Merriam-Webster offers similar sentiments, highlighting admiration, approval, gratitude, and intriguingly, an "increase in value."

Appreciation: A Game of Value

That's right, appreciation translates to an increase in value. I delved deeper into the concept of value in my previous post, where I explored the adage, "Why buy the cow if the milk is free?" It essentially emphasized the human tendency to invest in things that yield benefits, and ignore those that don't.

Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Value

Now, here's where the plot thickens: the value concept is two-fold, comprised of intrinsic and extrinsic components. Intrinsic value, or self-worth, hinges on confidence. Your level of self-assuredness influences your perceived worth in any situation. Extrinsic value, on the other hand, is the worth society assigns to you.

The Penny Analogy: Finding Your Worth

Consider a penny: an unassuming coin, right? However, its intrinsic value lies in the copper it embodies. Yet, most of us overlook its potential, focusing on the nominal value instead. Similarly, we often undervalue our intrinsic worth and let society dictate our value.

Appreciation Begins Within

Here's a revelation: you can't truly appreciate anything if your self-worth fluctuates with societal opinions. You might idolize others based on their societal standing, thinking that their pedestal is the ultimate goal. But, my dear friend, true appreciation begins when you start valuing yourself, independent of the world's judgement.

Answering the Questions

So, should you be appreciated? Absolutely, especially if you've contributed value beyond the baseline, uplifting others and the world around you. Should you feel appreciated? Again, yes, if you acknowledge your growing self-confidence. Lastly, do you understand appreciation? I believe, after this enlightening exploration, the answer is a resounding "Yes!"

Key Points:

1. Understanding the societal definition of appreciation.
2. Exploring the concept of intrinsic and extrinsic value.
3. Relating self-worth to the concept of appreciation.
4. The importance of valuing oneself to truly grasp appreciation.
5. Realizing that you deserve and should feel appreciated.

Dinner and More... What Should Happen Next?

Imagine reconnecting with a charming gentleman after years of lost contact. He invites you to a dinner he prepared to prove his culinary skills. As you enjoy the delicious meal, a question arises—what comes after dinner? This story delves into the dynamics of self-worth, relationships, and the price we put on ourselves.

The Exchange of Value

After savoring an exquisite meal, you faced a choice. Do you leave after grading his cooking skills? Do you suggest watching Netflix? Or do you consider going out for dessert? Ultimately, you decided to pay him with more than just attention or physical cash. The value placed on the dinner and effort led to a deeper connection—the intimate exchange of emotions, a dinner smash.

The Unsatisfying Outcome

But here's the twist. Despite the connection formed, you found yourself left alone, unsatisfied. It doesn't matter how incredible the intercourse was or how much the meal cost. What truly matters is how much you value yourself. Did you come at too low a price? Did you sell yourself short?

Increasing Your Self-Esteem

It's time to increase your self-esteem and expand your bucket. Relationships should be based on mutual respect, appreciation, and genuine value, not a mere transactional exchange. The worth you assign yourself sets the standard for how others will perceive and treat you.

Reflecting on Shared Experiences

Have you ever found yourself in a similar scenario? How did it make you feel? Share your experiences and join the discussion on valuing oneself in relationships.

Key Points:

1. The dinner smash dilemma: Beyond a shared meal.
2. Understanding the exchange of value in relationships.
3. Challenging low self-esteem and setting higher standards.
4. The importance of mutual respect and genuine connection.
5. Personal reflections on similar experiences and lessons learned.

Strut onto the Love Market: Know Your Worth

Before we dive headfirst into the whirlpool of love, I'll tease you with this: Falling for a partner's potential rather than their reality is like building a mansion on quicksand. Hold that thought, darling, and let's begin.

The Sexy Economics of Love

Dating isn't much different from shopping for a new set of wheels – it's all about knowing your value and not settling for a clunker. The lessons of love begin early in life. When our familial trees intertwine and root deeply, we, as the budding fruits, get the best chance to blossom – not just survive, but truly thrive.

Think about it: two trees, side by side, entwining roots for stronger growth. They nurture their fruits – us – with doubled attention, allowing us to fully ripen. But a single tree? It's too busy ensuring the bare minimum: survival, not thriving. The message here? Whether we’re talking trees or parents, doubling up usually leads to better results.

The Ways of the Wang and the Dance of Dating

Now, what happens when one parental figure, say “Daddy,” goes AWOL? That’s when our market values get skewed. We become a shiny sports car that doesn't know it’s worth more than a second-hand sedan.

Who taught me the "Ways of the Wang"? A menagerie of characters, led by my dad, backed up by a chorus line of soul singers, and late-night radio talks. They infiltrated my subconscious with their smooth tunes and nuggets of wisdom, shaping my understanding of my worth, and how to strut it on the dating catwalk.

Revving Up Your Relationship Engine

The key is understanding our roles in the market of love: Men need to learn to be discerning buyers, and women need to learn to be chosen with dignity and confidence. In a world muddied with gender confusion, these traditional roles are essential in creating balanced, thriving relationships.

Women, like Mother Earth, are our fertile ground for planting the seeds of love and nurturing fruitful relationships. Men, on the other hand, need to choose wisely where they sow their seeds.

Wrap It with a Bow: Presenting Your Package

How you present yourself is your packaging – and darling, it's crucial. It’s your teaser, your movie trailer, your sneak peek. It’s what makes someone decide whether you're worth the time to get to know, or not.

Let’s not fool ourselves, after puberty hits, a substantial part of a man's drive revolves around sex. It's in understanding this drive, and harnessing its power, that we can become savvy operators in the marketplace of love.

From the Runway to the Marketplace

Style and appearance play a critical role in our love lives. With gay men influencing the fashion world, we see a blur in the line separating masculine and feminine dressing. This crossover style confuses the marketplace, and consequently, our choices in it.

The Lust of Love: A Powerful Force

The power of attraction is evident in tales as old as time. From Helen of Troy to Delilah, men have done unthinkable things driven by desire. The key lies in knowing your worth and leveraging it to command respect and commitment.

Key Points:

1. Your value in the relationship market starts with understanding your worth.
2. The "Ways of the Wang" provide a man's perspective on navigating love.
3. Men and women need to understand their roles in the market of love.
4. Packaging, or how you present yourself, is crucial in the dating world.
5. Style has a significant influence on the dating landscape.

Who's Picking Your 'Eleanor'?

Hey, you, yes, you! What if I told you that the secret to a blissful relationship could be lurking in your future, rather than your present? Picture this, your dream Eleanor (yup, that irresistible Ford Mustang from "Gone in 60 seconds") may not be the model you settle for today because of your current confidence level.

Imagine if your future self, the one you aspire to become, chose your partner. This confident, successful future self knows his value and chooses a mate who's truly compatible. Mind-blowing, right?

Don't Sell Yourself Short!

I knew this dude, let's call him Bob. Bob was good-looking, funny, and all around great guy. But Bob didn't see his value. He thought women only saw him as a friend. Fast forward a few years, and he's dating someone who probably felt the same way he did. Could be love... or maybe they both just ran out of options. Don't be like Bob.

The True Cost of Compromise

Remember that Eleanor? You wanted her, but you settled for the cheaper model because you didn't believe the real Eleanor would still be available. That's the confidence talking, and it's messing with your happiness. Now, what happens when you discover Eleanors are not that rare after all? You're stuck with Old Faithful, which doesn't quite cut it.

Rising to Your Value

Let's shift gears. You're in a relationship, and all's going well. Suddenly, your value shoots up. You've been promoted, lost weight, or came into a windfall. Congrats, Big Boss, you can now afford the real Eleanor! But wait, you're already with someone. You're loyal, so you resist the allure of the shiny new Eleanors.

But then, your dream Eleanor is offered to you for a test drive, no strings attached. Can you resist? If Old Faithful starts giving you trouble, chances are, you're going for that test drive.

The Costly Aftermath

So you cave in, test-drive that Eleanor and get lured in by the attention it brings. You can't afford both, so you let Old Faithful sit in the garage, while you splurge on Eleanor. But guess what? Someone else notices Old Faithful and sees the value you missed.

Back to Square One

Your shiny new Eleanor turns out to be a lemon. And while you're dealing with the fallout, Old Faithful has moved on, possibly upgraded by her new owner. If you're lucky enough to get Old Faithful back, she's not the same anymore.

Key Points:

1. Your future self should choose your partner, not your current confidence level.
2. Don't settle for less because of a perceived scarcity. True love isn't a limited edition Eleanor.
3. Your value can change, but your commitment should remain.
4. Moving on to a shiny new Eleanor might cost you your Old Faithful.

This humorous and slightly twisted journey is to help you understand the psychology of love and relationships. If you've ever wondered why people cheat, it might be because they didn't test enough Eleanors to recognize the value of Old Faithful. So, strap in, and let's find our true Eleanors together!

The Divine Value System: Understanding Your Worth

From the dawn of creation, the divine has marked a unique place for each of us in the value system. The Almighty, Man, Woman, and Child, each is intertwined with the other, illuminating their worth and value.

The Almighty's Identity Through Man

The divine recognises its omnipotence by creating man. Man, in turn, plays a vital role in the cycle of life, contributing to the creation of woman and, eventually, child. Strip away man, and the divine's power remains intact, but its manifestation would be lost. In essence, women and children wouldn't exist. This delicate balance has been skewed in recent times.

Unraveling the Origin: Adam, Eve, and the Forbidden Fruit

The divine breathed life into Adam, confirming its godly status. Then, crafting Eve from Adam's rib, it ignited a love that was truly divine. Adam and Eve, the first companions, loved without the knowledge of gender. They were simply best friends in paradise.

The Almighty, to maintain harmony, entrusted Adam with a single rule. Yet, to instill value in Eve, He gave her the ultimate choice - to eat or not to eat from the forbidden tree.

Eve's Journey to Self-Realization

Eve couldn't sow seeds or plow fields, nor should she have to. Her worth would be discovered in motherhood. This divine plan could only unfold if the Almighty remained silent, offering Eve the choice to acknowledge her divine origin.

Note: Throughout time, teachings have referred to the divine as HIM or a MAN. This is used here for consistency, acknowledging that the Almighty is all-encompassing.

The option to eat from the tree had to be there. Only by tasting the forbidden fruit together could Adam and Eve awaken to their true identities.

Embrace Your Perfection: A Modern Perspective

Fast-forward several centuries, and this divine truth remains as relevant as ever - You're perfect! 'Perfection' is the pinnacle of what one can be. If there's an exact copy of something, it's perfect. Let's use a pencil for instance.

The Uniqueness of YOU - The Ultimate Perfection

Remember, you're unique, one-of-a-kind. That alone makes you perfect. The illusion of imperfection arises only when you compare yourself to others. You might crave someone else's physique, features, or hair, but consider this - it takes at least five different people to measure up to your uniqueness.

Closing Note:

Now that you understand your divine origin and purpose, it's time to embrace your perfection. You're perfect, just as you are!

Key Points:

• Understand the divine value system and the roles of God, Man, Woman, and Child
• Explore the story of Adam and Eve and the choice that defined their identities
• Learn about your unique worth and perfection