how grateful can one be?

Yesterday we had a snow day....the first in a long time for us in Minnesota. Due to the bad weather, my husband was also home after a long day before, driving through the bad weather. Later that evening, he called his employer to thank him for taking his run that day. The two chatted away and I pondered..."who thanks their boss for anything? It usually is the other way around!" If you knew my husband, you'd know he has a very compassionate heart and lives the Golden Rule. He has taught me so much and I have much to be grateful for...see?

So many times, we either do something with no thought of reward...because it is just taken for granted that "it's expected." Like giving presents at birthday or holiday time, is it the "new normal" for the recipient to not thank the giver? Or if someone covers a shift for you at work, are you grateful or just assume, "that's the way it is?" How is gratitude learned?

I grew up poor and when something was given, I was sure to send a thank you note or else thank the giver in person. Growing up also in a home that wasn't very conducive to peace and security, I found ways to find my own, being thankful for even a spring day, the beauty in a flower or a song that stirred me to tears. Today it seems gratitude is in short supply. At restaurants, "tips" are expected...even if service is bad, usually something is left anyway. So when the unexpected happens, it seems we have become so callous to receiving, that we "forget" to thank the giver.

Develop a new habit. Every day, find something to be grateful for: the sunrise, a bird singing, a song on the radio....when you are the recipient of a good deed, be sure to thank the giver. You can be sure they will seem a bit stunned at first, but it will be appreciated! Soon it will become so much a part of your routine to not only look for the good in each day, but also to thank those who made your day better, you should have no reason to become grumpy or find fault...when the winds of sadness or disappointment sweep over you, it may be diminished by your finding the silver lining in a dark cloud.

Think about it!