The Art of Appreciation: Where Transformation Begins

Appreciation and gratitude are often confused, but their vibrations are radically different. 

As one of my favorite mentors, Abraham Hicks, teaches, “Gratitude is often looking at a struggle you've overcome, while appreciation is about focusing on the joy and positive aspects of the present moment.”

Where It All Began

In 2016, I was reeling from a separation long in the making. Suddenly a single mom raising two kids on my own, I was navigating the legal system - including a restraining order against our abuser - while working part-time for pennies and relying on government assistance just to survive.

The Doubt Goblins were loud. The fear was real. I often sat in catatonic silence, tears streaming down my face. Manifesting felt like a cruel joke. Feeling anything- let alone gratitude - was nearly impossible. Every cell in my body was exhausted, and the stress flung me into premature menopause. 

I was homeless-adjacent, spiritually depleted, and barely hanging on.

Then a friend introduced me to the teachings of Abraham Hicks, and I heard the first whispers of a truth that would change everything.

The Shift

For years, I had presumed I understood the power of gratitude. I journaled diligently, trying to coax joy out of struggle. But in the back of my mind, those Doubt Goblins kept wreaking havoc. I was still stuck. Still broke. Still exhausted. 

It wasn’t until I stopped resisting and began awakening through the transformative power of Appreciation that things began to shift.

Appreciation isn’t just a mindset - it’s a vibration. It’s not about overcoming; it’s about aligning. It boldly declares that you already have all you need and want, even if it’s still dancing in your imagination. It’s a full-hearted acknowledgment that everything required to create a life of joy, abundance, and badassery is already within reach, if not yet in the 3D world, then certainly aligned with your evolving vibration.

Why I'm here

It took me years to embody this truth and develop the Appreciation Practices I now use daily. My goal with this website - and my upcoming book, The Badass Art of Appreciation: Living Bigly with Sass and Soul - is to shorten that timeline for you.

It’s my heartfelt desire to help you fuel aligned action and unlock the life you deserve and desire.

Still confused? 

Let’s play a game of pretend. 

Imagine the most amazing kiss EVAR. 

Feel the butterflies in your belly and the tingles in your toes from this fabulous lip-lock.

A mind-blowing kiss will heave your lungs and buckle your knees. It’s unforgettable. You want more of that kiss and the person who kissed you.

Now ask yourself: 

Are you just grateful for this kiss? Would you say to your love, "I'm so grateful for that kiss?" (Dork Alert!). 

Or would you be fully in your body, fully appreciating the electric thrill of your mouth against your beloved?  

Go ahead and take a moment to savor that imagination (You got a wild one, my friend!). I'll wait...

The Energetic Divide Between Appreciation and Gratitude

Let's dig deeper into the vibes and why you want to ditch gratitude and embrace appreciation like your life depends on it. 

Gratitude implies you’ve been given something you lacked or focuses on what you’ve overcome. It says “thank you” for what showed up, while subtly suggesting you may not have deserved it or earned it. The energy of gratitude often carries resistance - and heaven forbid! -  can even stoop into groveling. Beneath it, there’s often a quiet undercurrent of fear.

Appreciation, on the other hand, knows that Source is always flowing. You’re never without, only awakening to what’s already awaiting you, as soon as your vibration aligns with your desire. 

Appreciation boldly declares that you already have all you need and want, even if it’s still dancing in your imagination. It’s a full-hearted acknowledgment that everything required to create a life of joy, abundance, and badassery is already within reach, if not yet in the 3D world, then certainly aligned with your evolving vibration.

The vibrational difference, once you feel it, is an almighty shift.

Want to get a jumpstart on your own appreciation practice? Perhaps Private Coaching is right for you.