Thank you to Janine and MacKenzie for anointing me last week’s feature writer. I feel chuffed at the acknowledgement. I also feel content that someone somewhere not only enjoyed my writing, but got something out of it too.
This week I have struggled with writing, for personal and physical reasons. I felt like I was struggling just that bit too much so I had a break, then I re-read the prompts and I realised I was trying to write on the wrong one for me this week. Once I had reset my focus the words started to flow, as they do. So I hope you enjoy what I have written this week. I chose to reflect on the quote by JFK.
I was raised in a conservative way. This meant that we were supposed to write ‘thank you’ notes for receiving gifts and after certain events. Mum would pressure us, nag us but she never stood over us to do it like her mother did to her. Needless to say only about three quarters of the notes probably got written. As a teenager and young adult I never gave this a thought. I was always polite, respectful but I never wrote thank you notes. I guess I just thought it was unnecessary.
One day at work in my mid 20’s I returned to my desk to find a simple ‘thank you’ card sitting neatly on my keyboard. Just a few words. ‘Thank you so much for your help today’. My friend and colleague had no idea of the impact that small and simple gesture has had on me. I felt amazing holding that card in my hand. I felt moved, emotional, and grateful. I felt special that she had taken a moment to give consideration to this, to think about me. As I held that card, those memories came flooding back and I suddenly got it. I understood why my mum made me write those letters and cards. I understood the necessity of doing it.
I was still so young back then but what I can tell you is this. From that moment on I have always said ‘thank you’. By card, note, email or verbally. I take the time to consider my words, to make them meaningful, to show that person just why what they did was special.
You will never really know the impact you have on another person. You may never really know a person’s motive for kindness, for the decisions they make. You have no control over any of this but you do have control over your own actions and attitudes.
In my last Friday Reflection I spoke about influence, and how it can be intentional or not. You can choose to be intentional here and now, in this small authentic way. Showing a bit of gratitude to those who make some small difference to your world.
8 Comments
You amaze me. This is another beautifully written post, and thank you for your loyalty xx I enjoyed this because I agree and I had to giggle as I make my children write thank you notes too. #Fridayreflections
My Mum always made sure that we called people to thank them sooner than later. It's something I've wanted my step kids to do but its a struggle when we don't have them all the time. I like the idea of notes…its like a lost art form, that of writing notes and letters. It's great to see people still doing so.
Glad to have stopped here from Friday Reflections. I agree with you – "Showing a bit of gratitude to those who make some small difference to your world." Every day we come across many people in our lives who touch our hearts either directly or indirectly and all it takes for us is to be grateful to those people to acknowledge their presence in our lives. Lovely post ! 🙂
Thanks Mac. It is a lost art, that of writing letters and cards. I love it though. It is so special to get a handwritten card with meaningful words the person has written – not Hallmark!
Hi Janine, one of my favourite things to shop for are beautiful Thank You cards. Actually I just love shopping for gorgeou cards in general but to find lovely Thank You cards is special. We can only do what we can do with our children and hope that as adults they instinctively remember. I always get amused when people looking after my kids say 'what gorgeous manners they have!'. Which they have apparently used without prompting….I have to prompt all the time to get them to be polite around me!!!
Hello, I am glad you stopped by too. Thank you for taking the time to comment as well! There are so many lovely people in the world. I fear that the media focuses too much on the 'scary, ratings grabing' fear mongering stuff. It would be nice to see society celebrate more of the day to day kindness and generosity of spirit which is around us all the time.
This is so beautifully written. It is amazing to see the impact of one "small" gesture on a colleagues part has had on your life and in it's turn on so many other peoples' lives too. The note is a lovely gesture as it seems more thought out. more effective than a quick thank you.
Thanks Mary, I still have that card and it is kept on a special board of 'special things' I have at my desk at home. I look at it and think of my friend who is one of the gentlest, caring and most compassionate people I have known. She has inspired me for more than just saying 'thanks'.