For some time, I was practicing being grateful in my head. I suppose that's better than nothing but I was always really appreciative of things but I wasn't always calling them out. As a culture, we have a habit of making a stink about things we see that we don't like but we don't always call out the good we see. I'm trying to change that in myself. I've begun, as simply as it really needs to be, by telling people what I am grateful for. When I e-mail someone a query regarding the kids school, bulb flowers to plant at the farm, etc. I end my message with I am grateful for your time. I am, really, because if they don't respond I'm going to be frustrated and aren't people more willing to go above and beyond if they they know you're appreciative and polite? I'm not saying that I formed this habit just so I can get something out of it, honestly, I like the way it feels when someone is thankful for something I've done. I try to reciprocate that.
You know that quote that people splash about: Be The Change You Wish To See In The World - I try to live that, at least a little. I figure if I start with myself, as the saying (improperly attributed to Ghandi) suggests, I'll end up doing good elsewhere and making bigger changes, like the one's I've always wanted to make.
I digress...
maybe it's because everyone feels like they are a little unappreciated in our fast paced, not-a-minute-to-waste society
When I am grateful for something, I make a point to tell the person. I get extra information from the mechanic - information that he didn't need to take the time to give me but choose to do so anyway; I say, "I am grateful for your time." I usually get a little smile from them; maybe it's because I like to use words that people don't commonly use anymore (lovely, grateful, oh boy, gluttonous, etc.) or maybe it's because everyone feels like they are a little unappreciated in our fast paced, not-a-minute-to-waste society.
I challenge you to try it, be openly grateful with the people in your world. As school begins, tell the bus driver you're grateful they're keeping your child safe on the way to school; tell your kids you appreciate that they did their chores so quickly tonight; thank your friend for listening when they could have been doing something different. You may think you're doing something already, but if you begin to openly appreciate things and people you may be surprised by their reaction and see that it really does only take a moment to change someone's (and consequently your own) day...
