I’ve seen how the power of a thank you works.
Teaching soap making classes in NYC means an hour ride on the LIRR into Penn Station, and then a 20 minute subway ride uptown. Once I get to Penn, I usually stop to use the ladies room (One of my rules “Never pass up an opportunity to pee” especially being true in NYC). The facilities in Penn aren’t the nicest I’ve seen, but it’s also not the worst.
Last Thursday the cleaning woman was in the bathroom doing her job. Cleaning the stalls, washing out the sinks and sweeping the floor. She looked tired, her eyes looking at the floor. As I left, I thanked her for keeping the room clean for us to use. She smiled, lifted her head up and thanked me for noticing, saying she appreciated my comment. It seemed to me she stood up a little straighter as she went back to work.
I thought about her during my subway ride. The power of a thank you might have made her day, and cost me nothing to say. It was easy for me to do, and yet, I don’t say thank you often enough. So I’ve made a decision to say “Thank you” more. Thank you to the bank teller who deposits my check and to the mail man who delivers my mail. And how about a thanks to the garbage men who pick up my garbage every week. Maybe the cashier at the grocery store too.
Here’s another thought. Why stop there? I should thank the people in my life who I love too. My family and friends. The people who help me every day and see me at my worst, and still love me. Let’s not take anyone for granted.
What do you think? Who can you say thank you to? What are you grateful for?
Yours in Gratitude,
Angela