Newsletter Volume 31 - November 20, 2002 Back to Newsletter Archives No words are as healing as words of gratitude. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to express thanks - and not only to close relatives and friends. This Thanksgiving, why not expand your circle of gratitude to include everyone who has benefited you? Here are two suggestions:

People We Often Forget to Thank People who benefited you long ago. The effect of a good deed lasts forever. Why shouldn’t your gratitude? For example, some people say, “I was a discipline problem in school until fourth grade. My fourth grade teacher turned me around with her understanding and encouragement. I became a good student from then on.” But how many of those people take the time and energy to locate their fourth grade teachers and thank them? Imagine the effect on a retired teacher of receiving a thank you letter from a student of twenty or thirty years ago, with an update on how he or she has succeeded in life, thanks in part to the self-esteem imbued by this teacher! How about the employer who gave you your first break? The relative who lent you money to get started in business? The friend who gave you emotional support during a crisis two decades ago? How would you feel receiving a letter, phone call, or email beginning, “Even though we haven’t been in touch for a long time, I still appreciate what you did for me years ago. You really helped me when I most needed it....”? If you would love to get such a letter or call, why not initiate one? You never know. Your communication may come at a time when your benefactor most needs it! People who get paid for benefiting you. It is a common but mistaken notion that if people get paid for helping you, you don’t owe them gratitude. What would your life be like without the garbage collectors, repairmen, income tax accountants, computer technical support personnel, taxi or bus drivers, supermarket stock boys, etc.? Everyone wants to be appreciated for his or her contribution. This Thanksgiving week, how about expressing thanks to everyone who benefits you! For example, after standing in an unusually long line at the supermarket, you may be too harried or impatient to notice that the checkout person has been working non-stop for many hours, at a job that is probably less creative or personally fulfilling than yours. How about reading her nametag and saying, “This must be a really pressured time of year for you, Melinda. I want you to know that I appreciate your efficient and courteous service.” It will take you eight seconds, and may make her day! If your oven breaks down the day before Thanksgiving, the repairman who comes to fix it will certainly charge you - and much more than you’d like to pay! But what if he and all the other oven repairmen were not available to come at all? How about saying to him, “I really appreciate your fixing my oven. I could never in a million years have fixed it. When that turkey is served tomorrow, you’ll be the real hero!” Words Can Heal wishes all our subscribers a very happy Thanksgiving. We appreciate your support, interest, and encouragement. Thank you for being part of Words Can Heal.

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