Two little words that can make such a difference in someone's life. I hope I never pass up an opportunity to say THANK YOU to anyone who I appreciate. I probably have, though.
Life feels difficult at times. Not every day is a bowl of cherries. Sometimes I write and wonder if anyone is really reading what I put down here day after day. I've just about completed an entire month of writing every single day. HOORAY!
Only 11 more months to go (he, he!). But really, in all honesty, I write because it feels so good to share. I write because I have something to say and I want to connect. I write because I have received so much in my life and I want to give back.
Just the other day I received this comment on one of my 365 Inspirations and it was completely unexpected:
Thank you, thank you, thank you for writing your book. I was pleasantly surprised to find, while reading it, that you are a local writer. This book has moved me beyond words. Thank you for taking the leap and publishing.
That was "four" thank yous and probably more than I deserve. Today I read a very touching letter from a community leader on her webpage. She was recently in a plane crash with her husband and he is suffering from severe burns on one-third of his body. Even though she has been through the most unspeakable situation in her life, she wrote about how acceptance of the situation has brought her peace and also how that has brought her equanimity at the same time.
We don't know what life will throw at us each day and I was struck by the fact that she was able to find acceptance of the situation and how that, in turn, brought her peace.
Lately, I've been struggling with a few personal issues, but nothing comes close to what these two friends of mine have been through. After reading her words, all I could do was think thank you.
That thought prompted me to write her an e-mail and express my gratitude for her words today. That's the gift that I can give right now. The gift she gave me was to see that sometimes life doesn't turn out how we expect or how we want it to be. If we learn to accept where we are right now and not wish it to be different, there is great peace.
So thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you (you all deserve four "thank yous" too) for reading this post today and for taking the time to leave comments. They make a world of difference and they mean so much to everyone you extend yourself to. Thanks to all of you bloggers and writers out there who, with your words, are making a difference in someone else's life.
Do you usually express gratitude to the people in your life? When was the last time you said, "thank you" to someone?
I have made a conscious effort of late to make sure I never go a day without expressing gratitude to someone.
ReplyDeletep.s. Thank you for always having such inspiring posts.
Hi Keith, I know, from all your gentle interactions with so many writers/bloggers out there, that this is true! Thanks for writing and sharing!
DeleteI love to make my own thank you cards, especially for my mom. She is the most thoughtful, giving person that I know and makes everything beautiful and fun. I love to write to her and pour out all of the things that seem too mushy to say but that I desperately need her to know. Saying thank you is something that brings me peace because having gratitude gives peace to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. Have a great Tuesday!
Sarah
Hi Sarah, I find it is easier to write what I want to say than speak it. When I speak, it doesn't always come out the way I want it to. I love making hand-made things with paper, but want to explore card-making more. That's so wonderful that you make these cards for your mother especially. I think my mom deserves a card like that. Thanks for the idea!
DeleteHappy Tuesday to you too!
Thank you for taking the time and making the effort to write every day! Your posts are blessings!
ReplyDeleteI try to remember to say thank you. I don't want anyone to feel like I take their gifts for granted. I try to make the same effort to remember to thank my husband, too, for all he does. I think it's easy to take the people closest to us for granted.
Hi Tina,
DeleteYes, I agree with you that the closest people to us are usually the people we forget to thank. My husband is also a person who does so much for me and I hope that I won't forget to say "thank you" more often!
Thanks for coming here each day Tina. You inspire me to keeping writing these daily posts!
Yep. I say thank you every day, all the time.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda,
DeleteI think that's important. Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you so much for your daily writings, Katherine. They help me to remain grounded. I have and still do keep a little gratitude journal and try to think and say aloud everyday something(s) that I am grateful for. Next to BREATHE comes GRATITUDE.
ReplyDeleteThis is so important Jennie! That's wonderful that you have a gratitude journal. Breathe is a good one too ^_^! Thanks for reading and commenting!
DeleteKatherine, Thank YOU! After having a near death experience, I now live in nothing other than PURE GRATITUTDE! What a hell of a way to "get it" and to be thankful for "it," but that's what has happened for me. Sooooooooooooooooooooooo, THANK YOU for your sharings, musings and insights!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about your near death experience, but it's so wonderful to hear that it brought you to pure gratitude. I think it is so easy to forget what we have until we experience near death or loss. There is so much to tune in to and be thankful for right hear and now. Thanks for sharing!
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