Kathy Becker, president and CEO of The Center for Appreciative Inquiry, succinctly encourages us to stay appreciative. It is such a powerful engagement stance. Using AI we can go a long way to create what Nancy Klein calls a Thinking Environment, in which we change other people by the way we listen to them.Do you find it hard to be appreciative? Our minds can easily become consumed with thoughts of politics, war, climate change, education, poverty, etc.

Staying open to see new opportunities and possibilities is important to our happiness, health and general well-being. Engaging in life through an appreciative lens takes mindful practice; I try to devote a few minutes each day reflecting on moments or experiences that provided me (or perhaps others) joy.Some of my most joyous moments are when I have interacted with a stranger (e.g. cashier, bank teller, food server, etc.). Take a moment to engage with others. The interaction can be short, yet simple. Ask them: What was the best thing that happened to you this week? What excites you most about your job?

Be genuine in your interest and listen with your heart. Always remember, the seeds of change are implicit in the questions we ask.Robyn Stratton-Berkessel, an Ai Practitioner and friend, demonstrates the power of questions in this great TedTalk video. Robyn shares how a “simple, intentionally appreciative inquiry can result in a playful state that fosters creativity, openness and togetherness. Grounded in the science of positive psychology, this interactive talk demonstrates how appreciative inquiry opens us up to experience even greater positivity. The result: less fear and strong heartfelt connections and understanding between people, even strangers.”