My husband has a post-career but preretirement job working as a monitor in the study halls, parking lot, cafeterias and hallways of a large high school with 3400 students. Everyday he packs his lunch and his smile. He loves this job, and it shows. In our 27 years of marriage, I’ve never seen him more content with work than the past few years. I am even greeted now by his whistling upon arriving home.
Jim doesn’t look for thank yous but they often find him anyway. It’s been very encouraging to witness the appreciation expressed by our teenage generation. They do notice when people look them in the eye, call them by name, and offer a smile. Even – or maybe especially – if they don’t show it.
Today he received a thick stack of Thank You notes. It was a program suggested by a school group for Thanksgiving. The notes were prompted but still so welcome.
This got me thinking. Let’s make a point to say thank you every day, not just on occasions like Thanksgiving. And not only for big things but for small kindnesses. Just now, I set my phone alarm daily for 4:47 pm to remind me to say thank you to someone if I haven’t already. In a note, in person, text, email or any other way. Anyone else up for the challenge? Thank you in advance for adopting this new habit!
Thanks for sharing, Helen. Great idea and I totally agree. I think one of the best times to pull the gratitude card from your hand, (and heart), is when you are feeling extremely sad, angry, confused, or any other negative emotion. For me, it shines a bit of light and hope on the situation, and helps me realize how fortunate I am to have everyone and everything I do in my life.
Happy Thansgiving!🦃🦃🦃
Well put Karen! Happy Thanksgiving to you also.
Every morning I like to start the day thanking my Heavenly Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit for giving me new life. Now that I am no longer a full time teacher, I have been substitute teaching. As I walk through the halls and in classrooms, I try to keep to keep a smile on my face to encourage students and teachers. So many look troubled or sad.
Kathy, good point about encouraging teachers as well as students. You must be related to my husband! Thanks, sister-in-law!
Thank you for your blog! I am often filled with gratitude for a multitude of things.
Awesome idea – I’m setting my Gratitude Alarm right now! The notes to Jim really make me smile.
Helen, it’s not 4:47 PM, but “Thank you.” Thanks for 27 years and 7 days of marriage, thank you for your perspectives on life, and thanks for the kiss as I left the house this morning. ~Jim
So, Helen, I’ve been thinking ’bout the people to whom I waited too long to say “thank you”.
My mom, and my dad deserved some thanks. They knew I loved them, but probably not how truly grateful I am for them, and why. Grrr, there is no do-over on this one. I missed that boat, and I’m regretful.
There is an old lady out there, I think I can still catch, if I don’t procrastinate. She often gets on my nerves these days (it must make a person grumpy to be so old – her, not me, of course). When she was younger, and healthier, she was so kind to me, and supportive of me, in many ways. I’m sure I gave her the perfunctory “thanks” at the time, but looking back, realizing the things she did (when she was the age I am NOW), she deserves a thanks that is born of a slightly older, somewhat wiser, and much more sincere and appreciative heart. And, as I said, she’s really old and needs to be reminded:-)
P.E.
P.E.,
Thank her today! I remember my mom and dad got a letter from my brother’s classmate 40 years after he died of leukemia as an 11 year old. The letter writer wanted to let my parents know that he decided to choose a career path of oncologist because he was so impressed by Gerry’s positive attitude and he was saddened to lose his dear elementary school friend. All family members now cherish that letter.