Pink’s song “Glitter in the Air” begins with three words that I believe we are "in the moment" immune to: “Have you ever. . . “
It is these very same words which I ask you to ponder today. How often have you ever stopped to recognize what someone does as that very moment with gratitude? I am not talking about the offhanded polite thank you. I’m talking about gratitude with a capital G! The have you ever. . .
I think if we all think about it, we have said thank you, however, at the very moment did you say thank you, or did you say THANK YOU?
For example, last evening I went to have a prescription filled. So what is the big deal about this? People fill their prescriptions every day. When the pharmacy tech took my prescription, I paused for just a second and said, “Geez, I should have said thank you. I’m sorry.” Her comment: “no problem.” I thought for another moment about her indifference to what I thought was inconsideration on my part and said, “You are doing something for me and I am grateful.” She smiled and then a young man behind the counter turned around and said, “You have no idea how much that means. People rarely say thank you. You just made my day."
I had something to think about while I waited for my prescription. I always say thank you to the individual who rings up my groceries, fills my prescriptions, or performs those daily tasks. However, I have become guilty of saying thank you and not THANK YOU. It has become a conditioned response. When someone expressed how much he or she appreciated my thank you, well, this is a completely new dimension with my approach to gratitude.
Everyday cashiers and store clerks say thank you, however, do you take the time to thank them for their service and time? Or do you hurry off to your next task?
Therefore, for the next week every time I say thank you, I intend to be in the moment and really say THANK YOU. I plan to look the person in the eye so they know this is a full expression of gratitude and not just someone being polite. I appreciate the pharmacy tech who gathered the information and filled my prescription. Some will say that is her job. I say, it can be a long day waiting on people.
Join me for the next week and express your gratitude. Share your stories in the comment section of the blog. What happened? What kind of a difference did it make for the individual when you stopped and said thank you before taking a step away and what kind of a difference did it make in your day? Maybe even say, thank you for checking me out, making my pizza, or getting your coffee in the morning. Not just thank you, acknowledge to them what you are grateful for and say THANK YOU!
Have you ever. . .
Namaste,
Joyce
