1 - We very much need to be heard and that our opinions are valued 
by others.  Often factors in our home prevents this.  The room may be
too noisy.  When the TV is running full blast we find ourselves raising 
our voice just to be heard. This gives it an unpleasant edge.  We are
left feeling that no one is listening.

Look at your home and consider  how you can arrange places where people 
can converse with full attention on each other; places where each person 
can feel 'listened' to.  What can you do to decrease background noise and 
interruptions?  Arrange the seating so that people are close enough to see  
and hear each other easily. Our voice is very important;  it carries our
'self' into the world.   To be heard is to feel recognized.

2- Celebrations are an important part of every home. 
Not only birthday parties and Christmas but the little celebrations 
like posting your child's school art project on the wall or a picture 
of the new nephew on the refrigerator door.  

Think about how you can make your home a place of joyous approval and 
spontaneous recognition. What kinds of occasions do you celebrate? Is 
there room in your life for celebrating the little events as well as the 
big ones?  Celebrations can be a time of child like fun and creativity.  
Don't hesitate to make decorations and create traditions. Give the 
people in your household frequent opportunities to feel recognized.

3-We give to others from the warmth of our heart.  Warmth in our 
home puts us in the spirit of giving.  Often our gifts to friends, guests 
and family come in the form of treats cooked in our kitchen, a place of
warmth.  But sometimes our kitchen feels more like a fast food service.  
Although we don't want to over eat or center our life around eating it is 
nice to have some special meals or delicacies that we share with others. 
Other areas of your home can become the spot of warmth where we create 
gifts for others.  For me it is quilting at the sunny dining table or 
writing poetry in my cozy room.  

Gifts don't have to be an physical thing.  You may have a book of  heart 
warming thoughts or beautiful photography on your coffee table.

Where are the places of warmth and giving  in your home?  As we give 
we foster recognition.  Not from a selfish standpoint but from a
natural flow of giving and receiving appreciation.

4 - How often we achieve something and then don't take time to appreciate
it.  We need time and places to relax and enjoy what we have accomplished.  
Often in our busyness and discomfiture with compliments we miss letting in 
the appreciation that others do express.  Sometimes this may be in words or 
a note. Often it is in a grateful smile or the enthusiasm  resulting  from 
our efforts where that expresses appreciation. We need to be aware of  
these expressions.  They are a gift to us, a gift of recognition.

Take time to be aware of your accomplishments and their affects on others.  
This is not a selfish act, but a way to keep up your spirits and to  help
you feel like continuing to give of your talents.  Consider what you can 
do to help your loved ones feel appreciated as well.