The Power of "Thank You"

I have written several times about being grateful for what you have, looking for the the positives in life, etc. I actually think it is a sad comment on our society that we need a day on which to give thanks, when we would do much better as individuals and as a nation if we were thankful every day. Generally when we think about 'giving thanks' on Thanksgiving, we mean thanking God for the bounty that we have in our lives. That is also the kind of thanks we imply when we say we are grateful for something. I want to talk about another kind of thanks.

Imagine a world where everyone said “Thank you”, every time someone did something nice for them. Imagine hearing that 'Thank you”, and how good it would make you feel. (Actually, for most of us, doing something nice for someone makes us feel good in itself, the “Thank you” is just a bonus.) On the other hand, if you do nice things for someone and they never acknowledge it, you may wonder why you bother.

So you do something nice, and get that good feeling, and they thank you, which makes you feel even better, prompting you to do more nice things... Imagine this happening again and again to you, to the people you do nice things for, the people they do nice things for, and it snowballs, collecting more and more people both doing nice things for others, and saying “Thank you” when someone does something nice for them.

Saying 'Thank you” is not just for when someone does something out of the ordinary, or for strangers. It is also for the person who makes your dinner, takes out your garbage, etc., to let them know you appreciate what they do for you. It would get tedious to both say and to hear 'Thank you” every time for every little thing, especially for things that the person does on a regular basis. How about making a point to say “Thank you” at least once a day (or once a week, or whatever time-frame seems appropriate for less frequent things).

Let's start an appreciation revolution, making sure that the people who help us and are there for us know how much we appreciate them and what they do. Make saying “Thank you” a habit, and pass it on. Thank you for reading this.  

Give Thanks For The Simple Things

It is Thanksgiving Day, so of course, I have to write about giving thanks.  Early this morning, when my husband was still snoozing, I was thinking about what to write. I thought about how comfortable I was, lying in my nice, warm bed, safe from intruders and sheltered from the rain and chill.  No war is raging outside, no cockroaches or scorpions are running around on my floor.  In my closet, I have more choices than I need in clothing, my kitchen is well stocked with a good variety of foods.
My family members all get along with each other, my kitten lets me pet her, if she isn't in the mood to wrestle.  My husband supports me, financially and emotionally. I know I am loved by him, by my two step sons, my siblings, and the above mentioned kitten.  I have extended 'family' in my temple, and the respect of my colleagues at work and in my Sjogren's Support Group.
I can afford the medications I need to help my body produce tears and saliva.  My pain is adequately controlled so that I don't have constant pain, and I only get fatigued if I do too much at once.
I got out of bed, turned on the light, and started the shower: we are not at risk of our utilities being shut off.  I did my morning self care routines and got dressed, all independently.  I made breakfast, and ate it watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV.  I played with my kitten, picked up my laptop computer, and started to write. Not only do I have my own computer with ready internet access, but I can read and write, which require a combination of cognitive ability, adequate vision, and education.  I can do art on my computer, and in my studio, which is right next door to my apartment. I can afford to buy the supplies I need/want to do my art, and the talent to create in a variety of media. I have enough strength and energy to do my art, to work at the hospital when they need me, and still have some left over to take care of myself and my small apartment.
And that is just the beginning of the things for which I am thankful.