Personal Development and Self Improvement» gratitude

13 Ways to Say “Thank You”

blogadmin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:41:45 +0000

Photo by webbetravelOne of the most powerful phrases in the English language is “thank you.”

With those two words, you can express appreciation for a kind gesture or service someone has done for you. These words have the power to make someone’s day. When you want to go the extra mile in expressing gratitude, try one of these 13 ways to say “thanks.”

Try these gratitude expressions to get you going:

Smile. Express your gratitude with a smile and the other person will almost always smile back. If that person is having a bad day, a smile could be just the thing that turns their day around.
Send a note. If you’re shy, you may find it easier to express yourself in writing. If writing intimidates you, simply write a short note expressing your gratitude. Your heartfelt words will mean more to the recipient than the most beautiful prose or poetry.
Buy a unique gift. Look for a small item that you can give as a token of your appreciation. If you’re unsure of what to get, try buying them coffee or sending them chocolates. You can also ask their friends for ideas.
Invite them out. Say “thank you” with a dinner or time together doing something fun that you both enjoy.
Share your story. Brag to others about what someone has done for you. They’ll likely hear about how highly you’re speaking of them. Better yet, brag about them to others in front of them. This will improve their reputation and their confidence at the same time.
Offer a favor. Let the person choose what kind of favor they’d like from you. A small favor can often help someone out in a big way.
Buy them a ticket to an event. Find a local concert or show that they would enjoy and buy them tickets.
Contribute to a charity. Find out what your recipient is passionate about and then make a donation to an appropriate charity in their name.
Add a personal touch. Say “thank you” with a homemade gift. The person will recognize your thoughtfulness and appreciate the gesture. You can hand craft a card or make a photo slideshow. Create something sentimental that truly shows your appreciation.
Phone call. Sometimes a simple phone call is all you need to get your message across. In addition to a phone call to say “thank you,” call on a regular basis to see how they’re doing. Offer your friendship.
Give them a “Gift of the Month.” For someone who’s always doing nice things for you, consider a gift subscription to their favorite magazine. You can also prepay for a subscription to a “book of the month” club that features books that interest them.
Give a gift certificate. If you’re having trouble figuring out the perfect thank you gift, consider a gift certificate to a local mall or online store that sells a variety of different merchandise. That way, they’re sure to get something they like.
Bake some cookies. If you love to bake, your talents can be a sweet way to show your gratitude. Everyone appreciate delicious, homemade desserts.

The only limit is your imagination. If you go the extra mile to show someone you’re genuinely grateful, the gesture will be remembered for a long time to come. Strengthen a significant relationship in your life today. Choose one of these ideas or come up with your own, and say “thank you” to someone special in a meaningful way.

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I make do with what I have.

blogadmin — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 15:30:10 +0000

Photo by Pete ReedI am content with what I have. My personal happiness and the happiness of my family are far more important than material things.

Each morning, I wake up to a lovely home and a vivacious family. I feel grateful for the things that I have.

At times, I struggle financially. However, I always keep my head above water. Sometimes, that means forgoing an evening at a restaurant and having dinner at home to save some money.

I refrain from thinking I can buy happiness with money. Luxuries are just extra icing on the cake. Sure, I enjoy luxuries when I can, but they are unnecessary for my happiness.

I banish negative thoughts and comparing my life to others that have greater financial means. I have plenty of abundance in my life and am grateful for what I have.

So what if my house is smaller than the neighbor’s? Does it really matter if I choose the store-brand over name-brand groceries?

I am a humble person with a clear vision of what is important. I am thankful that I have been blessed with the basic necessities. Even in these tough economic times, I am surviving just fine and that is all that matters.

Today, I allow my inner priorities to guide my life, rather than material conquests. I am content with my life and make do with what I have.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I try to impress others with my ability to purchase luxury items?
2. Why do I care what other people think of my economic status?
3. How can I be content with what I have?

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Express Your Gratitude to Improve Your Health

blogadmin — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 15:22:31 +0000

Photo by deepwarrenEmotions can bottle up inside you, but you don’t have to let them. You can master your thoughts, feelings, and emotions and learn to let them out in positive ways, so they don’t cause you stress and harm.

One of the best ways to improve your health and handle your emotions is by expressing your gratitude. Yes, really!

Ask yourself: What are you thankful for? Who matters in your life? Even when life may not be going as planned, there are still many things to be grateful for.

Give Your Gratitude Away

No matter how much you appreciate someone in your life, that person may not have any idea about how you feel. Rather than just assume they know your thoughts and feelings, go ahead and speak up. Tell them how you really feel and what’s in your heart.

See the smile? It feels good, doesn’t it? When you smile back, laugh, and even share tears of joy and love, it helps your heart, mind, and body thrive. It releases a flood of chemicals that your body just loves. It’s a “feel-good” thing to do. That’s true for both you and the receiver of your gratitude.

Maybe you’re grateful for something you have, as opposed to a person. Did you ever think about sending a thankful message to the company that makes the products you love? They probably hear all about customer complaints, but how much gratitude do they get for the work they’ve done to make lives better or more convenient? Give them some of your gratitude and you’ll spread joy all around!

Ways to Show Your Gratitude

Showing gratitude is something you can do quite easily and all it costs you is a little bit of time and effort.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Tell your loved ones you care for them.

Hug a friend who’s hurting.

Smile at a stranger.

Write to a company whose product or service you really love.

Make time to listen to someone who needs to talk.

Spend some time out in nature, appreciating the beauty of creation.

Volunteer your services or help someone in need.

You can also show your gratitude just for being alive by treating others well and being kind to yourself. Relaxing and taking time to unwind from the stress of everyday life is very important, and you’ll be happier and healthier because of it.

Focus on What Really Matters

Many people are unhappy with their circumstances, and it’s often because they feel they don’t have enough money, a big house, or the ultimate car. These things are nice, but in the grand scheme of things, they don’t really matter. After all, when you’re on your deathbed, will you wish you had that red Ferrari? Or will you wish that you had more time with your loved ones?

Connect with what really matters by being grateful for all you’ve been given.

There will be obstacles and stumbling blocks in life, but there is joy all around you as well. When you tap into that joy, keep a positive attitude, and show how grateful you are, you’ll prove that you’re able to let go of unnecessary baggage. It’s a great feeling, and one that you can give yourself, today, right now. What a wonderful thing to be grateful for!

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My inner beauty shines brightly.

blogadmin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:22:41 +0000

Photo by -RejiKLike a beacon in the darkness, my inner beauty casts its illuminating glow throughout my world, lighting my path. Fueled by gratitude, generosity, positivity, and a passion for life, my beauty shines brighter each day as I strive to use my God-given talents as a force for good.

I feel gratitude for the good things in my life and express my appreciation throughout the day to those who would make my day a little brighter – to my spouse, my children, co-workers, and even the stranger on the street who opened a door for me.

I strive to be generous and share my blessings with others. Whether I share money with those less fortunate, the wisdom of my experiences with my children, or even a great joke I just thought of, sharing is a daily part of my life.

My positivity brings me motivation and enables me to seek solutions for challenges that arise on my journey. It gives me confidence and inspires hope for a wonderful future.

My passion for life serves to enhance my inner beauty even more. I think of life as a great adventure and each morning when I awake, I look forward with excitement to the adventures of the day.

When I decide to do something, I do it full force! No wishy-washy, half-baked efforts for me!

Today, I intend to take action toward my goals with gusto and do what I can to bring a little more good to the world along the way.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I feel confident that my inner beauty shines out upon the world for all to see?
2. What special qualities make up my inner beauty?
3. How can I become more of a force for good?

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I have an attitude of gratitude.

blogadmin — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 15:30:49 +0000

Photo by h.koppdelaneyMy attitude reflects a heart filled with appreciation for the things I have. I am humbled whenever I count my blessings because I know that there are many who are in less fortunate situations.

I am grateful because my Creator continues to bless me out of love. I seek to treat others with the same love and shower them with gratitude.

Gratitude makes my heart full of positive energy. I walk through life with a smile on my face and confidence in my heart because I trust that I am cared for. When I look through thankful eyes, I am able to see hope in the world.

When someone does something for me, I express my thanks, even when it is something small. I appreciate others’ hard work and dedication toward me. From the clerk at the store, to my loving spouse, I make it a point to sincerely thank everyone who serves me.

A small note, a smile, and a kind word are all simple ways in which I show others that I am thankful. A grateful attitude keeps pride and arrogance far from me. Pride comes before the fall, but gratitude keeps me standing strong.

Being thankful is a habit that I work on. Over time, the more appreciation I show, the easier it gets. Gratitude has become a charming and natural part of my personality.

Today, I give thanks for the gift of life. I go out of my way to make sure those around me know that I appreciate them from the bottom of my heart.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. What am I grateful for?
2. Who can I thank today?
3. What is one creative way that I can show my appreciation to someone?

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