It feels really grateful, thankful, and happy when your work is

When Vikrant Massey declares, “It feels really grateful, thankful, and happy when your work is appreciated,” he speaks a truth that stretches back to the earliest days of human endeavor. His words remind us that man does not labor only for survival, but for recognition, for the warmth of knowing that what he has given has found meaning in the hearts of others. To be appreciated is to feel that one’s effort has not disappeared into the void, but has touched another soul. It is a quiet triumph, a nourishment of the spirit, greater even than material reward.

The essence of his words lies in the sacred relationship between work and recognition. Work by itself is noble, for it shapes the self and contributes to the world. But when that work is met with appreciation, it gains a new life. The craftsman who builds a chair labors with care; yet when another sits and says, “This chair is strong and beautiful,” the craftsman feels seen. The actor, the poet, the farmer, the teacher—each one hungers not only to do their task, but to know that it matters. Massey’s thankfulness captures this universal longing.

History is full of examples of this truth. Consider the painter Vincent van Gogh, who in his lifetime received little recognition, and how that absence of appreciation drove him into despair. His art, filled with fire and soul, was unseen by those around him, and only after his death was his genius acknowledged. Contrast this with Mahatma Gandhi, whose work for freedom was not only righteous but also deeply appreciated by millions who followed him in the struggle. That appreciation gave him the strength to endure prison, hunger, and hardship, knowing that his sacrifices were not in vain.

Massey’s words also reveal the emotional power of gratitude. He does not take appreciation as an entitlement, but as a gift. To feel “grateful, thankful, and happy” shows humility, an understanding that recognition is not owed, but bestowed. This humility is essential, for it keeps the artist or worker grounded, ensuring that the desire for appreciation does not corrupt the purity of the work itself. Instead, appreciation becomes a blessing that magnifies joy, rather than the sole purpose of the task.

His reflection is also a reminder of the responsibility of audiences, communities, and leaders. Too often, the efforts of others are taken for granted. A word of recognition withheld can discourage, while a word of appreciation offered can uplift for a lifetime. The soldier who returns home, the teacher who shapes young minds, the nurse who tends to the sick—all of them need not only wages, but also appreciation, the affirmation that their work has meaning. It is in this exchange of effort and recognition that society becomes whole.

The lesson here is timeless: never underestimate the power of appreciation. If you receive it, be thankful and let it fuel your journey. If you can give it, be generous, for your words may be the light another needs to continue. Work with sincerity, but do not scorn the joy of being recognized—it is a sign that your effort has truly touched the world.

So I say to you, children of tomorrow: labor with devotion, but hold close the joy of appreciation when it comes. Be grateful not only for the opportunity to work, but for the acknowledgment that follows. And do not let your tongue be slow in honoring the work of others. For in this mutual exchange of giving and receiving, of labor and gratitude, lies the eternal rhythm that sustains human hearts and carries civilization forward.