gràcies , kiitos , merci , mahalo , grazie , paldies , grazzi , gracias , nandri , shukran , asante
noun: an instance or means of expressing thanks.
It's easy enough; no matter the language, gender, color of our skin, sexual orientation, or whatever makes us unique, thank you is the same. It is a simple gesture that can change the relationship you have with someone and even your outlook on life.
Growing up I was always taught to say m'am and sir, please and thank you; it was just how you spoke to one another. When writing this article I was trying to think of someone I knew or had met through working in customer service that had forgotten this polite gesture. However, the overwhelming majority of people, at least in where I live, are very good about exchanging polite words at the beginning and end of a conversation. "How are you?" "How 'bout those Wildcats?" "Thank you." "Have a good day." So, props to you Kentucky, keep up the good work and thank you for raising me this way.
The more I thought about it, the more I began to wonder how much meaning was invested behind the words. I am at a time in my life that I am learning to be confident and secure about who I am and where I am, I'm learning what it means to be truly thankful. I am so very thankful for all of the opportunities, places, events and people that have inspired me throughout my life thus far; I am content with life and thankful for each and everything that led me to be here. I am excited for what the future holds and thankful to have had another day. Sure, I wish I would've been here earlier, but don't we all? What doesn't kill you makes you stronger and at this point in life, I could not agree more with that statement. (Thanks, Kelly Clarkson.)
Being thankful is more than a phrase, it's more than a polite gesture or conversation etiquette. Thank you is even more than a week, yes, a week, in November when you eat too much turkey and pumpkin pie. Saying thank you conveys to someone that because of them you are relieved and your life is better in some way. Be the reason someone says thank you and give thanks where it is earned.
"Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."
Be thankful. Be thankful for the pain, the successes, the trials, and the tributes. Be thankful for those who hurt you, those you helped you, the smiles and the tears. Be thankful for the teacher, the waitress, the nurse, the police officer, the janitor, the ex, and be thankful and hopeful for what is yet to come. Be unapologetically thankful for your life and what you have. Living in thanks will bring you more joy than you'll even know how to be thankful for.
It begins with you.
So thank you for reading this. I challenge you to share this and acknowledge someone you may owe some thanks to.
"Oh! A flat tire? Well, I'm thankful it wasn't a wreck!" "A C on my test? Well, at least I'm in college!"
