Please & Thank You

Thank You is the bookend to Please.  Much happens in-between the two.

Please is a Magic Word.  I know that because when I was a girl in Brownies we were made to write all sorts of pithy advice on some paper keys.  Then all the various keys were tied together with a piece of yarn.

Of course, one of the other keys reminded us to: Always Say Thank You.  Be grateful, appreciative.  Express this sentiment loudly and often.

Funny how often times in today’s world people do not say thank you.  I think this is a shame because if no one says “thank you” to you, then how are you going to say “you’re welcome” back to him or her?

Heaven knows that this world would run more smoothly if everyone, everywhere was a bit more welcoming– and a bit less judgmental.

Is this not so?  I thank you to think about this.

And to be grateful for those people who still know how to say “thank you.”

{ This is a writing exercise hosted by Lisa-Jo Baker, aka Gypsy Mama.  To read more about it, click on the button below.  Perhaps you’d like to join in, too. }  

Five Minute Friday

Laugh. Think. Be Grateful.

Warning: This video has a wonderful message.

It will make you laugh.

[And admit that self-pity is not the way to live your life.]

It will make you think.

[And start writing your list of 10 things for which you are thankful.]

It will encourage you to start a written gratitude practice.

[And continue on with it every day of your life.]

It will, if you allow it, change you for the better. 

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“Gratitude is more powerful than any pill you can pick up at the pharmacy.”

~ Marie Forleo

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H/T to @LaurieErdman

I Was So Wrong About Going To The Grocery

I was dreading my trip to the grocery yesterday afternoon.  I even tweeted this before I left.

• • •

However, once I got inside our Kroger, which was hopping, I realized that they had things well in hand.  Lots of carts available.  Shelves stocked.  Oodles of samples.  Extra cashiers.  As well as…

a woman employee dressed in her usual uniform…

wearing a white silk sash a la Miss America & a glitzy rhinestone tiara on her head…

wandering around the store helping everyone find what they needed.

• • •

Who was this woman with the gracious demeanor, sincere smile, wave of a beauty pageant contestant and endless knowledge of the store?

As her sash clearly stated, she was: Miss Information.  Of course!

Parsing The Meaning Of Thanksgiving

 To me Thanksgiving means…

  • gratitude
  • sharing
  • bounty
  • kindness
  • celebration
  • family
  • friends
  • joy
  • tradition
  • cooperation

  We received a Thanksgiving card from a business with the following message in it:

“At this time of thanksgiving we pause to count our blessings. 

The freedom of this great country in which we live.

Its opportunity for achievement.

The friendship and confidence you have shown in us. 

For all of these things we are deeply thankful.”

 I really don’t what to make of this message.  Putting aside that the third line makes no sense to me, the copy in this card sounds more like a Fourth of July card than in a Thanksgiving card.

  Then, in a lightbulb moment, I went to the website printed on the back of the card.  There I discovered that this Thanksgiving card had an alternative message available:

“At this time of

Thanksgiving celebration

our thoughts turn gratefully to you

with warm appreciation.”

Clearly the alternative message better encapsulates my take on what Thanksgiving is all about.  However, considering the card company offers both messages, some people must find the first message to be meaningful and appropriate.

• • •

All of which leads me to ask:

What does Thanksgiving mean to you? Given the opportunity, which message would you send to your clients?  And why?

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