As the year comes to a close, I saw a couple of quotes on gratitude that I thought were eloquent and worthy of repetition:
"Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy." - Jacques Maritain
"My country gave me schooling, independence of action and opportunity for service. I am indebted to my country beyond any human power to repay." - Herbert Hoover
I was taught that the power of a thank you is in the description of that for which one is grateful and the reasons why.
Children are wont to throw a quick "thank you" or an even quicker "thanks" as they grab a gift or treat and run off to enjoy it. Far fewer are the times when we hear someone express their gratitude properly and fully.
I've told my children that a proper thank you is like a book report - it has to express to the listener the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of the thanks.
Grandson opens the birthday card and sees the iTunes gift certificate for $15 and says:
Scenario 1: "Oh great! iTunes!!! Thanks Grandad."
Scenario 2: "Thank you Granddad for the iTunes gift card. I use my iPod all the time and I haven't had enough money to get the new Rascal Flatts songs that I like. Now I'll be able to buy those and some other new songs to listen to while I'm riding the bus to school. I was hoping to get one of these."
I'll admit that it's hard to remember to thank someone properly and even more difficult to get one's children to do so as well. But after a while it can become second nature.
Anyway, thanks for reading this blog...........
"Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy." - Jacques Maritain
"My country gave me schooling, independence of action and opportunity for service. I am indebted to my country beyond any human power to repay." - Herbert Hoover
I was taught that the power of a thank you is in the description of that for which one is grateful and the reasons why.
Children are wont to throw a quick "thank you" or an even quicker "thanks" as they grab a gift or treat and run off to enjoy it. Far fewer are the times when we hear someone express their gratitude properly and fully.
I've told my children that a proper thank you is like a book report - it has to express to the listener the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of the thanks.
Grandson opens the birthday card and sees the iTunes gift certificate for $15 and says:
Scenario 1: "Oh great! iTunes!!! Thanks Grandad."
Scenario 2: "Thank you Granddad for the iTunes gift card. I use my iPod all the time and I haven't had enough money to get the new Rascal Flatts songs that I like. Now I'll be able to buy those and some other new songs to listen to while I'm riding the bus to school. I was hoping to get one of these."
I'll admit that it's hard to remember to thank someone properly and even more difficult to get one's children to do so as well. But after a while it can become second nature.
Anyway, thanks for reading this blog...........
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