Mind Your Thank You's

Growing up, do you remember being taught to say please, excuse me and thank you? If you're like me, then you probably do. Many years later, I look back and reflect on these magic words. Generally speaking, I hear people say please and excuse me, but what happened to saying thank you?

Think about it. People abuse the words "thanks" and/or "thank you." If someone gives you bad customer service, thanks is said sarcastically. If you've received a bad gift, thanks is said out of respect, not out of kindness. If you weren't fond of staying in someone's home and wanted to be polite, thanks is said out of respect instead of from the heart. What about the people who expect to be thanked for something you know don't deserve those words? I am able to list more examples, but I think you get the idea.

As humans, we have the power to change how people perceive "thank you." You are able to start a revolution that revolves around kindness, generosity, and giving to others. How do you do this? It starts with a simple "thank you." If someone holds the door open for you, give thanks. It was a nice gesture on someone else's end. Did someone recently take the time to meet with you for three hours to review your cover letter and resume? Write a hand-written thank you letter. Are you impressed with the superior customer service a store provides? Make them your Business of the Week and thank them with a donation of your choosing.

Generosity and kindness exist all around us. Sometimes, we, as humans, are blind by greed and troubled situations. Even then, anyone can still find good in the world and give thanks to those things. If it seems too simple, then don't think about it so much. Go with your gut instinct. If something tells you that a situation or person is worth thanking, then do it. Who knows? You may make someone's day that much better.