I tend to be the family photographer. Sometimes on a vacation, Greg will grab his phone (or my camera) and snap a pic or two, but not often. After a long day of driving yesterday, Greg asked to see the pics I’d taken throughout the day. After he browsed the shots, he asked if he could post a few on his social media page. It was a compliment he didn’t even know he’d given.
That happens a lot. He will thank me for something I do all the time, like folding the laundry or doing the dishes. It’s usually the kind of routine tasks that often get taken for granted, but with his thanks I feel appreciated instead.
We both do this, often. I’ll raise a glass at dinner and say “thank you.” Greg always says “you’re welcome” and will usually ask, “for what?” It too, will be for something innocuous, or something huge, like the life we live together … our home, the ability to travel, our fur baby. I’m grateful and thankful every day for all that we enjoy, and I want him to know how much I appreciate it.
In the spirit of the season, I’ll share this little tidbit: Years ago, I made a resolution to try to say something nice to the underappreciated people I meet throughout the day – the cashiers, the person behind the counter when I ordered lunch, the stranger who held open the door. Making the effort to find people to thank helped me notice the little things I am grateful for. A simple “thank you” throughout the day showed me how easy it is to find gratitude and joy.
Perhaps the calendar is inspiring me to be grateful that I am appreciated. The ubiquitous items in stores blaring the seasonal “Give Thanks” concept help, too. No matter why it crossed my mind, though, I am grateful. Appreciation is like a verbal hug and who doesn’t love hugs?
There’s a whole world out there just waiting to be explored. Thank someone today.
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