One of my New Year’s resolutions was to do a better job of showing more appreciation to those around me.
While on vacation two weeks ago, I discovered that my phone charger for the car was dead. It provided a real challenge since I was relying on my phone for navigation. I mentioned to my husband yesterday that it had died and without being asked, he bought me a new one while he was out running errands. When I discovered it on the kitchen counter this morning, it made me think — the old me would have just said “cool”, “thanks”, or maybe said nothing, because it wasn’t a big deal, was it?
However, I made a point to say, “Thank you for getting me a new charger, I really needed it.” It may seem like a little thing, but many of us take showing appreciation for granted. That enthusiastically said, “cool,” or a simple “thanks,” takes the place of a more detailed show of appreciation, doesn’t it? And we shouldn’t HAVE to show appreciation because the other person’s actions are required or expected, right?
WRONG!
This week, make a point to take the time to stop, turn to face people, and say “Thank you so much for . . .” whenever they do something nice or just do the right thing. It doesn’t matter if the appreciation is for an extraordinary act or something that’s required by someone’s job description, it doesn’t cost you anything to give the gift of appreciation and the investment will give you an extraordinary return.
“Appreciation can make a day – even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.”
— Margaret Cousins
