Ways to Be “Thank You”-Less

If you are like most people I know, they would say that they are thankful people. I do not recall knowing a person who would say that they never show gratitude to others. Most would believe, at least internally, that they are grateful. However, is that true? How often do you say “Thank you” to others?

• You might actually never or almost never say the words, “Thank you.”
• How do you act when someone pauses to let you go through a door, get in line in front of them, offers to serve you, or other acts of kindness?
• When someone does their normal duties around you (could be at a restaurant or in your own home), do you thank the person?
• If someone else cooks, does laundry, mows the yard, does yard work, handles the oil change, gets gas, checks your tires, changes the sheets on the bed, picks up the house, takes out the garbage, washes the dishes, feeds the animals, walks the animals, or lights a candle, do you thank that person? If you do, how often?
• When you walk into, open a door of, or open a drawer that is an organized area at home or work, do you ever thank the person who organized it?
• Do you look for ways to specifically be grateful when you observe something, experience something, or hear about something? Or, do you find ways to give helpful comments on how it could be better?
• Do you smile at people and nod or use some other kind gesture when you are grateful?
• Are you aware of the positive aspects of what is going on around you? Do you look for the silver lining?
• Do you have a gratitude journal?
• What about your prayer life? How often do you say “Thank You” to God when you pray or as you experience different things?

Three Quick Stories

I love telling stories. :)

The other day my son and I ate at Chick-fil-A. Of course I noticed the person serving our table saying, “My pleasure.” As you may know, they are trained to say “My pleasure” anytime someone says “Thank you” to them. Knowing this person serving our table, I created reasons for saying thank you every time the person approached. With a very small seating capacity still, she came by the table often. Eventually my son started dying laughing and told me to quit. Here’s my question… if every person told you “My pleasure” every time you said “Thank you,” how often would you hear the words “My pleasure”?

I was with someone the other day and the person actually thanked me. I actually do not count or pay attention to how many times someone ever says thank you to me, but on this day I noticed. It shocked me to hear the person actually say the words. As I walked away encouraged, I was also saddened that it would be that noticeable when an individual actually just simply said “Thank you.”

I was talking to my youngest today about this blog. I asked him how many times he says thank you in a day. He paused and said to himself (but I could hear him), “There’s the 3 lunch ladies, 3 different breakfast ladies, my teacher when I raise my hand and need to go to the rest room, when other kids help me.” Then he looked at me and said, “Maybe 15 times a day. Actually, better make that 14.”

Aim for a “Thank You”-Full Life

Do you want to encourage yourself and those around you? Seek to live a “Thank You”-Full life. You will both be encouraged and be an encouragement to those around you.