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Last summer we surveyed 1500 of our subscribers and asked them: What do you crave? The themes that showed up repeatedly are represented by these gems:

• Joy.
• Being out of my head.
• Genuine God-talk.
• Salt. Pizza. Eggrolls. Coffee. Caramel.
• Love, respect, emotional closeness.
• To simplify my life. To surround myself with beautiful, simple objects and uncluttered space. Relaxed shoulders. Stretching.

This answer sums up what hundreds of you said:

• What do I crave? You mean, besides chocolate? BEING APPRECIATED.

It’s safe to say that being appreciated is a universal desire.

THIS WEEK’S IDEA: Think about what you like to be appreciated for. For your beauty, your generosity, for saving the company money, for motivating or managing or inspiring others? Just the exercise of naming what’s so appreciable about you helps that part of you glow.

And then determine how you want to receive that appreciation. Will you give it to yourself (i.e. a job well done is its own best reward)? Will you ask for it? There’s great power in requesting a raise, a simple thank you, or a sincere acknowledgment for why you’re amazing. Will you wish for it? Maybe a prayer or a call out to the universe to the effect of “I want to feel appreciated for…” will stir up some lovely surprises.

Whether it’s a gentle yearning or an intense craving, the need to be seen, felt, and heard is our most natural and respectable human desire. That and chocolate.