On value and appreciation.

There are a few things in life that make an individual, speaking generally, feel happy.  In my Survey of the world around me, I have collected sufficient evidence, all be it spotty and unscientific to suggest that as humans, we all need to feel valued. Of course, value is relative, just like love, and expectations, ones value depends on a variety of factors.

Without going in to the philosophy and psychology of ones value, I can say that one important thing for as as individuals is to know our value.  It is beneficial to know or value at work, at home, and every where else.  Also we need to know also how value is rewarded in those various environments.  For example, a question I might ask is:  "Can my employer indicate my value by the salary of bonuses that she gives me?" Or, "how does my significant other show that I am of great value to him?"

In the end the way society as a whole or its actors show appreciation, gives some indication of ones value.  The bigger question in all of this is: Do I know my value, and how do I measure that for myself?