9/6/14

“Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it.”

Example: I told you recently about this already but thought I’d elaborate a bit for emphasis. I get a website from Mom’s Facebook page which is where I get some of my introductory quotes that start some of my messages to you like the one above.

So while in Boston when you were sleeping and half-asleep myself, I decided to pass the time by submitting a quote of my own. I completely forgot about it until we got home from Cooperstown. One night when I was not in the greatest of moods, I started looking for one of those “ten better reasons” why I should be in a good mood instead of the less important reason that I wasn’t. I looked at the website and lo and behold, there was my quote on the main page with my name underneath. Even more surprising there were 120+ “likes” (no dislikes) and over 80 “shares”. Bingo! Found the “better reason” and there was a seismic change to the rotation of the following days including the one right now while I’m writing this.

Not the end of the story! Underneath the quote was a simple comment from a woman with her picture and a simple “thank you” written. That touched me as much as any grand gesture I’ve been blessed to be the recipient of. By virtue of a simple kind gesture, maybe partly out of contrition or generosity, i possibly affected an anonymous soul to warrant a gesture of thanks.

I hope you know I don’t generate my messages for recognition. The most important reason is to give you guidance and recognize your personal impact on me. Another is to facilitate my intellectual recovery from my injury. An additional one is to express the wealth of kindness I feel and want to share with those closest to me and even those I casually come across. Finally there is an element of contrition after the recognition of times I previously let pass by without an offering of at least basic genuine courtesy.

Bottom line is that we say things (“how are you”, “have a good day”, “thank you”, “I love you”, etc.) so often as part of our everyday dialogue with people, we have forgotten their intent and meaning, or don’t include any feeling with them. More sadly, we just omit them from the opportunity to use them.

SO, make it a habit to take a moment and consider what you’re saying and why you’re saying it. Look into the person’s eyes while saying it so that they know you’re sincere and that their presence is recognized. You may not know anymore about them beyond that exchange but I’ll bet they will know more about you as a person and remember you longer had you done otherwise! Just thinking again.