I know, I know. How cliché, a little ditty on gratitude the month of November. That being said, I am having to exercise gratitude through patience in my own life and well, this is as much a refresher for me as it is for all of you.
- Do something little but thoughtful—like clean up after Thanksgiving dinner, or just yourself in general.
- Give them your full attention when in a conversation. This will usually mean phones down and some good ole eye contact. This is also not a time to multitask. Sit and give this human your undivided attention regardless of their age.
- Thank someone for introducing you to a new way of looking at things, even if you still don’t agree. This has been a favorite of mine since the start of the pandemic, when there was and remains a heightened sense of differing opinions. Through curiosity and the thirst for more knowledge, you can be grateful.
- Share a specific example of something they did for you and how it made a difference in your life.
- Give a larger tip than usual. Not naming any names, cough, cough…someone that might possibly share my last name😊
- Write a hand-written thank you note, acknowledging things you value about them, their work or something they have given you. This is an oldie but a goodie and I can assure you that my mother’s relentless teachings of a thank you note have paid off ten-fold in my adult life.