Expressing Sincere Gratitude
November 22, 2021
Philosophers and poets have long praised gratitude as one of the most desirable attitudes and attributes. Surely, each of us has much to be thankful for. Gratitude can have a lasting positive impact if we work towards incorporating it into our daily lives. The expression of gratitude leads to a positive, self-renewing, feedback loop – the more gratitude we display, the more grateful we are likely to be. Showing gratitude is one of the simplest, yet most powerful things we can do for one another. To make sure the gratitude you’re expressing in return is worthy of the deed, use any of these creative ways to show you’re truly thankful and be sure your message is deeply felt.
Say something kind. The most simple way to demonstrate gratitude is to say thanks to another. If you don’t have a specific item to express thanks for, saying a few kind words is just as effective. If you want to communicate how much your friend or relative made an impact, expressing gratitude with extra enthusiasm can emphasize the extent of your thanks. Phrases like “you made my day!” or “you saved my life!” are more potent than simply saying thank you.
Get specific. What makes you particularly thankful for your sister, or your professor, or your best friend? It’s really easy to get specific when you are expressing gratitude – all you have to do is add “for” to the end of your initial phrase, and go thoughtfully on from there . “Thank you for…”, “I appreciate you for…”, “I’m grateful to you for…”, etc. Naming what you’re really grateful for is a powerful way to communicate to your friend, family member, or colleague what it is about them that is so special to you.
Give the gift of time. Nothing says “I appreciate you” more than an investment of your time. Think about what’s most important to others and make it a top priority. It could be going out to eat or to the newest movie, going for a walk, helping with a project, or even simply stopping by for a quick chat and taking the time to listen.
Put your phone away. While you’re spending time with someone, be fully present, by putting your phone away when you’re interacting with others. This isn’t always easy, especially with all the available digital distractions. Nothing squanders a well planned evening faster than someone constantly pulling out their phone. This small effort will show how important spending time with this person is to you and allow you to be more appreciative of the experiences you have with them.
Expressing gratitude will make those around you feel more loved and appreciated, and can help make you an overall happier person. What are some other creative ways you’ve shown your gratitude? Share your ideas and experiences in the comments below!
This is a very timely and useful post. I’m currently teaching a course for college freshmen titled “BOUNCE! Cultivating Resilience,” and I’ve emphasized the importance of gratitude. I’m going to share this with them.
Excellent!
Since I retired in 2011 and cared for my Mom until she died at 99 in 2016, I spent time writing brief thank you notes for the craft classes I’ve taken, and the hospice volunteers who gave me the time off for self-care. They were what we used to call “bread and butter” notes. They were short and scripted, and I never really heard back from the recipient. However, when Covid-19 arrived in 2020, I made a point of writing to people that I missed, or to small businesses who helped with deliveries, and kept me safe during the lockdown. I wrote to art teachers, and friends, even the local UPS office, thanking the driven who brought a large box in the house for me. My notes were longer and much more mindful of expressing my appreciation in a more specific way and with my heart flowing through the ink as I wrote. Surprisingly enough, I got notes, or calls back from most of them. One couple, whom I had never met, replied and now we are pen pals, zoom pals and have been lucky enough to meet as they crossed the country this summer. One of the most interesting things about the thank you notes I’ve written in the past year or two is that the writing of those notes made me feel good and kept me from sliding into depression during the isolation. And their responses lifted me up and added a new appreciation for the art of communication. Thank you, Franklin Planner Blog, for sharing ideas and values with us. This article is a great example of why I continue to return for inspiration and planners!
Franklin Planner tools have been critical this year for me, to keep life’s pace focused, and priorities more even keel and normal. Quite an accomplishment, amidst historic global events whose impacts ranged from temporary adjusting, to life altering. Also, Franklin’s planner tools are a valuable personal recordation of this year’s challenges, cherished memories, and life victories.