It’s Only a Small Phrase, But it’s a Big Deal
April 2, 2008
My husband, GeekDaddy, took Buttercup to the pediatrician’s today for her 5 year checkup. After surviving 3 shots and the usual medical routine - as they were leaving, GeekDaddy said “don’t forget to thank Dr. Karen,” and she ran right over to her doctor and said “Thank you Dr. Karen and we’ll see you again soon!” This brought about a chorus of ‘awww!’s from the surrounding nurses and medical staff.
Every day, when we leave preschool, I look at Buttercup and her best friend Trixie and say “don’t forget to thank your teachers, girls” and they run over and say “thank you Miss M! thank you Miss L! See you tomorrow!” sometimes even accompanied by hugs. Sometimes, another child in the room emulates them when they do this.
Today, the amazing Mr. Gary Vaynerchuk [@garyvee] posted a video on his personal site saying thank you to everyone who interacts with him online - be it commenting, watching, twittering, emailing, whathaveyou. (Seriously, take the time to watch this… Gary’s powerful in his delivery and reminds us of things we need to remember.)
Thank you…
Two very powerful little words that should be part of everyone’s daily lexicon. Yet seemingly vanishing from the average person’s vocabulary.
Geekdaddy & I always get complex looks from other parents when we remind Buttercup to thank someone - but we never get those looks from the person she’s thanking. Because in reality, all anyone really needs to know is that you appreciate what they are doing for you to make their own day a little brighter. It’s our job as parents to make sure that our daughter gets that and grows up to use it regularly.
Thanking your waitress because she brings you a bottle of ketchup rather than just continuing on with your conversation with your tablemates is good.
Thanking the clerk at the convenience store rather than staring blankly out the window as he counts out your change is good.
Thanking someone for taking the time to read your thousand word blog post on social media is good.
Thanking anyone and everyone for the time they spend making your world a better place? Good.
But you’ve got to mean it.
It can’t be an off-handed ‘thanks’ just grunted at the other person as if you were passing gas. A real, sincere, meet their eyes, smile when you say it “Thank You.” Heck, go the extra mile and make it “Thank you very much!”
We’re all only given so much time in a day and so many days with which to spend that time. That someone spends it on making your world a better place - or choosing to interact with you over the thousand other things they could be doing? Yeah, thank you is a small return… but it can make someone realize that you appreciate what they give you.
So, Thank You. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this - for taking the time to share your thoughts with me when you comment or email or twitter. Thank you for spending a part of your time making my world a better place.
Thank you very much!
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