"To appreciate is more than to notice. Awareness says, That's nice. Appreciation says, Wow-that's so meaningful! It's the difference between glancing and taking in something good with both heart and mind. As psychologist Ronnie Janoff-Bulman puts it: When we appreciate something, we treat it as special."
"Envy says, 'They're ahead, and I'm behind.' You focus on what others have that you don't. Admiration says, 'They inspire me. Maybe I can learn from them.' Here, your focus is on what's good and how you can grow. We can't escape comparing ourselves to others—it's human nature. But we can choose admiration."
Appreciation goes deeper than simple awareness, treating things as special by engaging both heart and mind. Gratitude is one element within a larger family of appreciation-based emotions. Admiration represents a healthy form of social comparison that focuses on inspiration and growth rather than envy. Unlike envy, which emphasizes what others have that you lack, admiration directs attention toward positive qualities and learning opportunities. The distinction matters because comparison is inevitable in human nature, but choosing admiration over envy transforms how we relate to others' achievements. By identifying people who inspire growth and offer valuable lessons, we engage in healthy social comparisons that enhance personal development and emotional well-being.
Read at Psychology Today
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