Look for opportunities to say “thank you” and show gratitude.
A friend of mine commented one day that he really liked a mutual friend of ours, but he lamented that when that person had been in a supervisory role over him, “He never said, ‘thank you.’”
It’s a little thing, but it can have a big impact. Routinely giving thanks can change your whole outlook on life.
When the apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he communicated his thanks to them by thanking God for the way they treated him (1 Thess. 2:13) and for the good they were doing (1 Thess. 1: 2-4). He told the Colossians how much he was thanking God for them (Col. 1:3-5). In his letter to the Philippians, he thanked God for their partnership with him (Phil. 1:3-5), and he acknowledged the gifts they sent him (Phil. 4:15-16).
What a difference it makes when we know someone appreciates us! Never hearing “thank you” can deflate us, but hearing those magic words can pump us up and make life a little more manageable. Similarly, thanking others can boost them up and bring a little light into their day.
Living a “thanksgiving life”
It’s great that we have a special day for thanksgiving. But every day is an opportunity to give thanks. We can make a habit of giving thanks to God. (More on that in another post.) But we can also seize the endless opportunities to give thanks to the people around us who make our lives better by what they do. All it takes is a decision.
We can choose to live a thanksgiving life, and not just celebrate an annual Thanksgiving Day.
In the thanksgiving life, almost every person we meet offers an opportunity to give thanks.
Examples of giving thanks
When the mail carrier puts our mail through the door slot, my wife or I call out, “Thank you!” I know the carrier can hear us at least sometimes, because once we got a “You’re welcome” in response. Do you think their step is a little bit lighter after they hear our thanks? I think so.
Recently, late in the afternoon on New Year’s Eve, the Amazon delivery person left a package on our doorstep and thoughtfully knocked on our door to let us know it was there. I stepped out, caught his attention at the next house, and thanked him. I imagine that when these workers see a customer poke their head out to say something, they brace themselves for a complaint. I was glad to surprise him by thanking him and wishing him a Happy New Year. That gave him a big smile – and me too!
In a thanksgiving life, thanksgiving opportunities are everywhere.
When we go grocery shopping, the checker is an opportunity for giving thanks. One day, at the height of the pandemic, when everyone was understandably being hypervigilant about distancing and social interaction was suffering, I thanked the cashier, and added: “Without you, we wouldn’t have food.” I made her day. Now, I frequently thank my cashiers for “being there” for us.
We can take this attitude anywhere. When we go to an event, the person who takes (or scans) our tickets can be thanked. (After all, we can’t get in to see the action without them.) The restroom attendant at the airport can be thanked. (Imagine what things would be like if they didn’t exist!) The garbage collectors, the crossing guards, the usher at church – everyone can be thanked.
When you go to the dentist – Wait a minute, Tom; are you really going to say that the dentist’s office is an opportunity for thanks? Yes! First, imagine what your life would be like if you had no access to a dentist or a hygienist. It hurts to even think about it. So going to the dentist is something to be grateful for. But beyond that, each person there is a unique opportunity to give thanks.
Can you get a smile from the receptionist by thanking her* for her welcoming attitude? Is there a brief but meaningful conversation you can have with the hygienist while her* tools aren’t in your mouth? Can you let your dentist know how much you appreciate her* during your brief interaction? Each of these moments are opportunities to spread a little joy by giving a little thanks. The joy you offer is part of the beauty of the thanksgiving life. (*In my dentist’s office, all of these valued personnel are women; but the men who hold these jobs are equally worthy of thanks.)
What about the people who are “under” you in whatever hierarchy you are in at work? How often do you thank them? Sure, it’s their job and they are doing what they are supposed to be doing. But everyone wants to be appreciated in their work. In the thanksgiving life, we find that spirits rise as thanks multiplies.
Finally, what about in our families? We often take for granted the roles each person plays. Just because that’s their chore doesn’t mean they can’t be thanked for doing it. Let the thanksgiving flow, and see what difference the thanksgiving life can make in your home.
The impact of gratitude
When we thank someone, it spreads a little joy to those around us and also lifts our own spirits.
There is no more surefire way to elevate the mood of a room than to offer somebody some thanks. Because of the impact it has on others, the thanksgiving life is incredibly powerful.
Gratitude also affects us, because it takes us outside of ourselves. In order to give thanks, there must be a someone to whom the thanks is given. Therefore, gratitude moves us beyond any tendency to self-absorption, to make a connection with someone else.
There are experts who can tell you the best ways to express gratitude: Be specific about what the person did, tell them why it is so impactful or meaningful for you, and maybe even tell them what it shows you they are good at. For example: “Thank you for being here for us whenever we come to shop. Checking out would be so much slower without you. And I appreciate that you’re not only fast but very accurate. You’re good at this!”
But don’t get hung up on how to do it “right.” The important thing is to do it.
We can spread the love of God by giving thanks
The thanksgiving life is one small way to extend the love of God to the people around us. It gets our mind off of ourselves and allows God to shine through us so that we can be a blessing to others.
And we can choose the thanksgiving life any time we want. It doesn’t cost anything. It only takes a moment. And it can brighten everyone’s day – even bystanders who just happen to overhear us.
Thank you for listening. I appreciate that you were interested enough to keep reading to the end of this article. That tells me you want to be the kind of person who allows the love of God to flow through you. Thank you!
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