By: Danielle Josephine DeWitt, guest contributor
When you were young and learning your first words, more than likely there were a few key phrases your parents taught you early on. “Hello.” “Goodbye.” “I Love You.” “Please.” And my personal favorite, “Thank You.” Two words. So important. Funny how we often forget that last one. In a world where we are constantly searching for the most efficient ways to communicate, it has become increasingly common to leave out the oh-so-important “thank you.”
Our search for efficiency has been driven by the instant gratification of email and social media. We are communicating in a world where “140 characters or less” seems to be a general rule. We prefer to text rather than call, email rather than write letters. In our desire for rapid communication, it is easy to forget the most valuable words.
I can’t tell you how often I have been out lately and have seen so many miss the opportunity to say thank you. The server in a restaurant, the cashier at the store, the stranger who asked for directions downtown…so when I do hear a thank you and other words of appreciation, they are so much more impactful.
Think about your day and how often you have the opportunity to thank—or be thankful for—someone or something. Do you express it? We tend to take people and things for granted. There are people in our lives who we see every day, and there are things that we have that seem insignificant in the grand scheme of life. Maybe it’s a matter of finding 10 people and/or things to be thankful for each day and express that thanks either out loud, through a handwritten note, or even a quick email. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture every time, but those words mean a lot.
Thank your customers, your clients. Be thankful for that job you have and the roof that is over your head. Tell those close to you that you are thankful for their support. Don’t take these things for granted. And don’t wait to say thank you. It’s just two words, but they are two very valuable words to those who hear them.
And thank YOU for taking the time to read this post.
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