Whatever You Appreciate, Appreciates

This principle applies to every area of life, though it’s often overlooked. Let’s start by considering the flip side: what happens when we fail to appreciate something? It withers, shrinks, and often disappears. This truth is beautifully illustrated by the classic tale of the goose that laid golden eggs.

The farmer in the story became consumed by greed and impatience, failing to appreciate both the goose and the golden eggs it produced. His lack of gratitude led him to kill the goose in pursuit of more, only to lose everything in the process. This cautionary tale reminds us that appreciation is the cornerstone of sustaining and growing value in our lives.

Health: The Goose We Take for Granted

When we don’t appreciate our health, it deteriorates. If we abuse our bodies with poor nutrition, drugs, alcohol, or toxic consumption—whether that’s excessive screen time, violent content, or pornography—our health suffers. Sometimes the decline is slow and insidious, but in extreme cases, like fentanyl addiction, the loss is immediate.

But what if we shifted our perspective? What if we saw our health as the golden goose and cared for it accordingly? Clean eating, regular exercise, and mindfulness aren’t just acts of discipline; they’re acts of appreciation for the remarkable gift of life.

Relationships: The Golden Eggs of Connection

The same principle applies to relationships. If we neglect or take our partners, friends, or loved ones for granted, those connections weaken. Relationships thrive when they’re nurtured with consistent expressions of love, gratitude, and effort. Ask yourself:

• Do I regularly show my partner they’re special?

• Do I appreciate their unique qualities and contributions?

• Do my actions reflect my gratitude?

Imagine the farmer making his goose feel extraordinary. What kind of bounty could that relationship have yielded?

Money: The Most Obvious Example

Money is perhaps the easiest area to understand this principle. It’s fluid and fleeting. If you fail to protect, manage, and grow it, it will quickly slip through your fingers. But appreciation for money goes beyond just saving it. It’s about recognizing its potential and using it wisely to create opportunities and build a legacy.

The Untold Side of the Story

Let’s imagine an alternate ending to the goose story. What if the farmer had truly appreciated his remarkable goose and its golden eggs?

• Perhaps he could have displayed the golden eggs and charged visitors to see them, creating steady income.

• Maybe he could have bred the goose to create a lineage of golden-egg producers, multiplying his wealth.

• Or he might have started a bank backed by golden eggs, revolutionizing his entire community.

The possibilities are endless. By appreciating what he had, the farmer could have created unimaginable abundance.

Recognize Your Golden Geese

Here’s the real twist: you are the farmer, and your life is filled with golden-egg-producing geese. The question is, are you appreciating them?

• Your health: Are you maximizing your energy and vitality through thoughtful choices?

• Your relationships: Do you regularly express love and gratitude for the people in your life?

• Your career or business: Do you recognize the opportunities it provides and nurture its growth?

Every day, you’re surrounded by gifts—your talents, opportunities, relationships, and resources. Don’t wait until they’re gone to appreciate them.

Final Thought

At the heart of it all is this simple truth: whatever you appreciate, appreciates. When you express gratitude and care for the people, opportunities, and gifts in your life, they grow in value. Don’t kill the goose. Instead, treasure it—and watch your life overflow with abundance.