Pure, unselfish acts of kindness are rare, but each occasion of graciousness extended toward us is cause for celebration. Sometimes it’s a lonely walk where we’re going and the farther we climb, the thinner the crowd. When someone decides to help us in whatever way – small or large – it deserves an immediate and sincere response.
Thankfulness is almost a lost art.
Developing a habit of gratitude is one of the most important habits to build into your life. Here are four considerations:
1. Learn to speak in terms of gratitude. Elaborate. Don’t just throw out a quick “Thanks,” but instead say, “Thanks for the really good job you did. It made my day so much easier.” I actually see this in action on Twitter, in the short 140 characters allowed for micro-blogging. High-class “tweeters” usually thank people for re-tweeting an article or link. It’s impossible to get too thankful. Take the extra time – it will add value to the lives of others and will make you a better person as well.
2. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. You might be making minimum wage (I hope it’s much more!) but graciousness is free. Cards at the Dollar Store are about 50 cents. With a stamp, that’s less than a dollar. Even email thanks are better than none at all. Sometimes a phone call will suffice.
3. Remember EVERYONE wants to feel appreciated. Wealth, fame, power, social status…it doesn’t matter – the desire to be acknowledged and valued is built into the heart of every human.
4. Your attitude of gratitude will make you stand out in the crowd. You will become unforgettable. The ability to give appreciation and thanks freely, without a second thought, is characteristic of someone extraordinary and uncommon. In the Proverbs of King Solomon (one of my favorite men of history), he says, “Don’t withhold doing good to whomever it is due, when it is within your power to do it.”
Start today. Start with your family. Think of something right now that you will express gratitude for the next time you see them (spouses, children, etc…) What about your business associates? Your boss? Your friends? If you have to make a list, do it.
A couple years ago, I found a special way to help me with expressing special thoughts to family, friends, and business contacts. It’s a company called Send Out Cards. It allows me to go online, select a card from a catalog of over 10K cards, write a note in my own handwriting (I’ve uploaded samples of my writing which were turned into my personal font), and press the Send button. Send Out Cards will then print the card, print the envelope, put a real stamp on it and mail it. I have even uploaded my business logos to use for business purposes. I keep a small sum of money in my “postage bank” and I absolutely LOVE using this service. I’ll give you my personal link in case you want to check it out. My daughter and I set it up together in case she wanted to work it as a business. Neither of us has pursued it as a source of income, but we both treasure the flexibility and professionalism of the service.
Whatever way you choose…just DO IT!
WOW! You have hit it right on the nail… I somehow learned very early on the importance of saying “Thank You” & have practised it all of my life. Of course becoming aquainted with “the secret” really enforced that… But it is easy to forget & one does come across many a person that does not practice this on a day to day basis… I will retweet your post to remind people!!!
THANK YOU!
You are right, a little thanks is an easy (and important) art to master.
Jeanne
I want to thank you for such a wonderful post.
I love to say thank you and the Universe is always listening.
I keep a gratitude journal and express my thanks everyday.
Nearly 20 years ago I made some big decisions and changed my life. I should say, I turned my life around and ever since it has felt as though I’ve had a ‘second bite of the cherry’.
I give thanks everyday for the life I now have and I teach my daughter the same principles.
I very much like your card company – what a wonderful service.
Much love
Heather x
This is a great topic Jeanne. It seems old fashioned, but it is not at all! I am a big sender of cards and aim to send 3 thank you cards every day. There is always somebody to appreciate or acknowledge! It does wonders for making new friends and for cultivating new friendships. It really is true that being appreciated is what we all most crave and it only takes a few minutes to give someone that gift!
Thanks for keeping this topic alive and well, it is a very very powerful action!!
xoxo
Helen
Thoughtfulness will always be in style. When you send cards or verbal thanks to people, you are saying that they are worth the extra effort. And, of course, they all are! Beautiful post!
Hi Jeanne,
This is a very important post. While it seems that too many have lost the art of gratitude these days, when they find it again they will see that it not only makes someone else happier, it will make them feel happier, too.
Thank you for reminding us all because this is something we should do all the time!
Deb, Thanks for the encouragement. I love our “online” friendship and hope that one day we’ll get to meet in person. Wouldn’t that be cool!!
Jeanne ~
I’m one of those gals who loves quotes. Reading your magnificent post brought this one to mind …
“Praise the bridge that carried you over.”
I know that everyone has good intentions, especially when it comes to showing gratitude. But how often we forget to express it. Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.
If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. 🙂
I enjoy and embrace every one of your posts!
Melanie
I’m at least a day late here but it doesn’t really matter. The attitude of gratitude is extremely important in our daily lives and yet most of us don’t even realize it.
I had a software program created for journaling my gratitude and the thing that I’m most proud of is the “gratitude sticky” that sits on the desktop (and even rolls up out of the way)so that when you think of something (like “I’m grateful that Jeanne posted on my blog” or “I’m grateful that I have today off and it’s just beautiful outside”) you can just put it on the stick and it automatically transfers tot he journal. Then you can write more or elaborate on what you’re grateful for or other issues you journal about. Check it out – I love to share it with people – it’s free and easy too. http://www.GratitudeTracker.com
Terrie
Terrie, I have downloaded that Graditude Journal with the Sticky and I found it so wonderful that I had to MAKE myself stop listing things, in order to save some for the next day. Kudos for a great product!
What an awesome article, Jeanne! Being a first time mom I strive to teach my daughter the important things in life – Please and Thank You (She’s only 18 mo). But it amazes me to see how people treat one another now days. Our world has become so hectic that people rush around here and there and never slow down enough to say “Thanks”. I was raised with the saying “Treat People How You Want To Be Treated!” Telling someone “Thank You” makes me feel great especially when you get a smile in return – It’s Priceless!
Jaime,
You are an awesome mom already! You’re going to do a great job with this little one, I can tell that by your attitude. I wish you all the best — enjoy every minute because it really does fly by. My kids are now 41 and 38, and I have 5 grandkids. It seems like yesterday. Being a mom was my finest “hour.” Now, my kids are my best friends. What a gift!