The 5 A’s of Change – Step 2: Appreciation
Awareness is the spark—but Appreciation is what keeps the flame lit.
It’s easy to feel grateful when everything’s going well.
The real work? Cultivating appreciation even when life is… a lot.
This second step on your journey to reclaiming what matters most isn’t about toxic positivity or pretending everything’s fine.
It’s about learning how to see clearly and generously—even in the struggle.
Because here’s the truth:
You can be stretched and supported.
You can be tired and thankful.
You can want more and honor what already is.
💡 Appreciation: The Lens That Changes Everything
Appreciation doesn’t mean we like our circumstances—it means we’re awake enough to extract meaning from them.
It’s the difference between:
Seeing burnout as a signal, not a sentence.
Noticing what’s still working, not just what’s missing.
Honoring how far you’ve come, even if you’re not “there” yet.
Appreciation shifts our state. It unlocks momentum. It calms the nervous system.
And when practiced consistently, it changes the way we lead, relate, and show up.
Especially in the hard seasons.
You don’t have to wait for life to slow down before you appreciate it.
In fact, this practice is how you reclaim your presence in the middle of it all.
📝 Your Reflection Prompts – Appreciation
Use the journal you love to guide your practice:
What is something in your life right now that you’ve been overlooking or taking for granted?
What challenge are you facing—and what has it taught you (or what might it teach you)?
What support do you have access to that you haven’t fully acknowledged or received?
Where can you appreciate progress—even if it’s not the full outcome yet?
How might gratitude shift how you approach the next 7 days?
Optional micro-practice:
Start or end each day this week with one sentence:
“Today, I appreciate…” and complete it without judgment or filter.
🌱 A Final Word
Reclaiming your life isn’t just about change.
It’s about perspective.
When we practice appreciation, we train ourselves to be more present, more resilient, and more joyful—not because everything is easy, but because we are learning to live with depth and awareness.
And that’s what being an Alivened Reclaimer is all about.
In two weeks, we’ll move into Acceptance—and what it really means to honor where you are without getting stuck there.
Until then, find something today to appreciate—and watch how it shifts everything.
