Being Appreciated

Lately, I've been in this "funk." School, home, church - it's all been a big "blah," and I've got to get out of it.

Recently I read in a story where a character asked another what three things she valued most, and how she went about expressing that value. Automatically I said, "Family, job, God," but when I tried to evaluate how I go about showing that value, I was stumped! Well, I call my mom every week, go to church weekly, and try to be an enthusiastic teacher, but, let's face it, that's not enough.
Then, as I was thinking how I can better show my appreciation, I wondered, "Am I appreciated? Do I appreciate myself?" M-m-m, it's a gray area there, too.

I hate to say it, but I think this feeling of "funk" derives from my job - more precisely, my boss. I don't think he appreciates what all I do, and that makes me irate! And to top it off, it's even worse because I am basing my worth on the expectations of someone else. I know all the self-help talk, but dang it! I want to hear the words from my boss-just to see if he notices. Is that wrong? Probably, because yes, when I'm gone, someone else will step in and do the work; I know I can be replaced, but yet...

So, since I can't change the situation, I guess I need to focus on what I can change - myself.
It's time to pull myself out of the mud.