I received a thank you note yesterday. This wasn’t a typical “thanks for the ___” and then a signature. It was a description of how I had touched this person’s life in a way I could have never imagined. The gift that I helped to provide wasn’t significant, but made enough of an impact at a time in this person’s life that made an exemplary difference. This woman, a public school teacher, who is a gift herself to her students, staff and parents, brought me to tears by her gratitude.
When was the last time you said “thank you?” Now, you may say “thank you” when someone opens the door for you, or a waitress fills your water glass at a restaurant. Have you thanked the people in your life that support you everyday, through the good times and the bad? We take for granted our support systems of spouses, friends, family and co-workers. We often expect certain actions and responses from them, because that’s just what they do and that is the kind of people they are.
Take a moment today to write or email someone who has made a positive impact on your life. What part about them or their actions helped you, and you most admire? Living each day with an attitude of gratitude not only strengthens our relationships with others, but makes us more aware of the gifts given to us on a regular basis.