Sincere appreciation is one of the greatest gifts you can give to people who deliver service to you. Mother Teresa said the biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis but rather the feeling of being unwanted. Appreciation must come from within. It is not important to wait for acknowledgement in return. This is not sincere appreciation

Since ages, human beings everywhere have been hungry for respect and courtesy. The desire to feel important is one of the greatest cravings of human beings. The first and foremost thing to understand here is that no work is big or small. It is man's superiority complex that discriminates people on the ground of profession. We need to change our mindset about work being superior or inferior.

All professions deserve dignity and mutual respect as they directly or indirectly contribute to the overall development and welfare of a nation.

In developing countries, the most desirable professions are still medicine and engineering as they provide social status.

Most people aspire to become a doctor not because of their passion or interest but for immediate recognition and respect in the society and, of course, the monetary gain.

Some students who are fond of music, dance or acting are prevented from pursuing their career by parents.

They are questioned by their parents as to how a profession in the arts can earn them good social status and attractive salaries, especially in the context of Nepal.

Many youngsters undergo depression because of their unfulfilled dream and aspirations. They must reconnect to what makes them happy and should not let others determine their goals and targets in life. If they are truly inspired by parents and teachers as per their abilities, interests and aptitude, undoubtedly, they would naturally fulfill their dreams without being under stress.

However, in recent times there has been some change in the youngsters' perception, and they have come to understand that not everyone has to be a doctor or an engineer to serve society.

Labourers too deserve respect and dignity astheir contribution cannot be overlooked. They are the ones who do mental and physical work in the mines, factories and construction.

In our society, labourers are categorised on the basis of their wages they earn.

But we cannot imagine sanitation in their absence, can we? Without them, how will we keep our cities clean? No human is a genius; we all are made up of a unique mixture of skills. For instance, a doctor's expertise is in healing diseases of patients, but he will not have the skills to repair his vehicle should it break down.

In such a situation, he must hasten to an auto mechanic.

Therefore, every profession has its own importance and deserves mutual respect to build a peaceful and harmonious environment. So stop judging and start appreciating others regardless of the work they do.

Understanding that every profession is equally important will help one feel comfortable with the job he/she does. Benjamin Franklin had said, "When you are good to others, you are best to yourself." Movies like The Hunger Games is a warning about class division.

The movie demonstrates the worth of labourers. Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Carnegie were some of those labourers who went on to become leaders.

That is why labourers, like other professionals, must be treated with dignity and respect, andalso rewarded with decent wages.

Respect for all professions should be taught at home and in schools and colleges by parents and teachers respectively.That will play a significant role in bringing positive social transformation.

It will also help to create harmonious and healthy relationships among all professions. One must cultivate a sense of gratitude without allowing ego to stand in the way. Gratitude ought to be a way of life, something that we can't give enough of. It can mean a smile or a thank you or a gesture of appreciation.

Psychologist William Janes has said, "One of the deepest desires of human beings is the desire to be appreciated."

The feeling of being unwanted is hurtful. Sincere appreciation is one of the greatest gifts you can give to people who deliver service to you.

Mother Teresa said the biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis but rather the feeling of being unwanted. Appreciation must come from within. It is not important to wait for acknowledgement in return.

This is not sincere appreciation.

For a business relationship to remain strong, it needs to be cultivated and nourished. Working relations strengthen in a harmonious environment with mutual respect for all, that is, from the office manager to the office cleaner.

For this, one has to focus on his/her emotional intelligence.

This is the ability to recognise one's emotions and the emotions and needs of others, too.

Through emotional intelligence people will develop inner maturity, resultingin better relationships.

Another key is to show your appreciation whenever someone helps you, regardless of the position they hold. Genuinely compliment the people around you when they do a good job. Yet another key skill to maintain good relationships is to develop good people skills. Find out how well you score with `soft skills`, such as collaboration, communication and conflict resolution.

Look at your own relationship needs: do you know what you need from others? And do you know what they need from you? Understanding these needs can be instrumental in building a better relationship, or bond, with a sense of mutual respect.

Happy employees deliver work to their best, therefore, an employer must create a motivational atmosphere at the working place. Just as a negative attitude spreads negativity, a positive attitude spreads happiness.

In the end, it all boils down to how you regard people from different walks of life. Humanity blossoms blissfully when there exists love and respect among all professions.

The only constant, a daily effective solution, is showing a positive note by spreading a smile that can be a great motivator. We should end the culture of looking down on people by looking at the nature of the work they do.

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A version of this article appears in the print on February 16, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.