Over the weekend I was putting a couple of plumeria stalks into pots.  As I took the plants out of their original container, I thought about how I was “uprooting” this plant and what it must be feeling about the experience.  I thanked the plumeria for being patient while I transplanted it.  In the past, I just don’t think I was that conscious of the depth I could go in recognizing the “feelings” of a plant.

What does this little story mean?  It’s just another example of connecting.  For me, that is the essence of life–to feel connected to self, to others.  With all of our modern technology, we certainly can connect digitally, and that’s great.  Someone in France can read my thoughts.  However, I still like the good old fashioned “hands on” connections.  That’s why I wanted to write about saying thank you to the plumeria plants over the weekend or to the daisies I cut for a bouquet.  Each time I did, I felt more connected to the plants.  In my world, I like feeling connected.

Just as we have focused our attention on the importance of saving energy and conserving our natural resources, it’s time to get back to basics. It’s time to say thank you!

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Steve Simon is one of those folks who is an exquisite artist who writes poetic verse to accompany his paintings.  He has several books capturing the ”spirit” of Maui, Laguna Beach, Orange County, California and Newport Beach.  His latest publication is The Spirit of Sedona.  I would like to thank Steve for the three years he spent immersing himself in the geography, legends and magic of this magnificent place on earth.  His work is a tribute to the beauty and mystery that prompt millions of people to visit each year.  As soon as his new book on the Spirit of Sedona is available, I will let you know.

Another thank you shout out goes to Robert Gluckson.  He is the entrepreneur behind Good Cause Marketing–a full-service web marketing, copywriting and graphic design company.  I appreciate the intention to focus on positive happenings and helping clients to make the most of their intentions.  Here’s a link to his company’s website:  Good Cause Marketing

And finally, I would like to thank Anna North who contacted me when she was writing a blog for her website, Jezebel.com.  This is blog website is a very ecclectic combination of news and features out of the Big Apple.  I am most appreciative that Ms. North, editor included me in her most in-depth feature on how to really, really say thank you.  Here is a look at that commentary from her perspective:  Jezebel Blog on Thank You

Well this was fun…now that I have figured out how to add video and other website links, there will be more Thank You Talk postings in the future.

For now, one more reminder…it’s Mother’s Day this Sunday.  While I believe the “moms” in our lives deserve more than a once-a-year thank you, it would be nice to extend a special note of appreciation or gesture to show your gratitude.

Richard Gilleland III is an 11th grade computer wiz who is a member of Junior Future Business Leaders of America.  At his early age, he shows very promising signs of becoming both an excellent businessman as well as a philanthropist.  He has created the only digitalized record of Iraq and Afganistan veterans laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. 

I visited Richard’s website, preserveandhonor.com and was impressed with the data, blog and outreach he has established.  It is impressive to see how he has identified tasks volunteers may take on if they wish to help.  If someone wants to make a donation, he directs the visitor to do so at Wounded Warrior Project or Homes for Vets.  Looking at the comments on his blog, families of fallen heroes are very grateful for his online service.  They are so thankful for the opportunity to see the marker of their loved one especially if doing so in person is impossible.

What is most remarkable is how Richard extends appreciation and gratitude to the media and others for publicizing his project.  HE is thanking them!  I say a big thank you to Richard for all you are doing!  If you want to say thank you to Richard, here is the email link: http://www.preserveandhonor.com/contact

Let’s all keep our eyes and ears open for the folks that are doing great deeds around the block and around the world.  This is a call to all ThankYouologists to let me know who you hear about that deserves “Thank You’s in the News” recognition.  Thank you so much!

Here’s to an Attitude of Gratitude day!

Create a memorable THANK YOU for that special senior–make a picturesque card or use one of the online photo memory book website to convey your sentiments of appreciation for anything that special someone did for you.  Express  your gold stars of gratitude in any way that works–with photos, poetry, a letter or in a video.  There are no rules–let your imagination be your guide.

If you live near the ocean you can create a customized thank you card as shown here.  Or use colorful stones arranged on the ground.  Be creative and see what happens.  That’s it for now…promise to be back with you on a daily basis…I’ve got a lot of thank you stuff to share. 

In Chapter 9 of ThankYouology, it gives free reign to the idea that there are no rules when it comes to saying thank you.  I use it every chance I get.  So, when I thought about counting to ten, this idea came to me to keep from reacting to a situation without thinking.

Think “thank you” right in the midst of feeling angry!  Don’t think you can go there?  When you are angry you can’t think about anything else?  I tried it the other day and it really worked.  Here is what happened. 

The morning errands spilled over into the afternoon and my hunger level was on the rise.  When I get hungry, I get cranky.  And that’s when a little anger can creep into my feelings.  After an encounter with a friend of mine, I could tell I was losing my balance.  So I just started counting to ten.  After each number I threw in a thank you.  It didn’t take long and I felt my emotions calming down.  Adding the words thank you spoke to me more than just counting from one to ten ever did when I was a child.

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What to do while chopping vegetables?  Where do my thoughts go?  Thinking about trials and tribulations?  Sure, that’s one possibility.  Or, what about dreams of the future?  That’s also a potential thought topic.

Actually, the more I study about living in the present the moment, the more I recognize the importance of doing so.  The art of saying thank you helps me stay focused in the moment with simple little techniques such as the one I used chopping my vegetables last night.  With every slice of carrot I said “thank you” and with every “string” I pulled on the snap peas I said thank you.  Before I knew it, the vegetables were chopped and I was feeling full of gratitude.

Since it’s just about time for lunch, I will leave with with that little idea to “chew on.”  Just remember, an attitude of gratitude doesn’t have to time consuming or complicated.  For more ideas about practicing the art of saying thank you, please visit our other platforms.  Just click on the icons below.  Thanks so much!

So, today’s Thank You Tip has to do with the letters in the words, thank you.   It won’t take you long to get the hang of this.  Just come up with a word that begins with each letter that spells thank you.  Put the words “I am grateful for ____ in front of it and you are on your way to creating your gratitude gold stars for the day!  Here is an example:

I am grateful for Towels, Handkerchiefs, Apples, Napkins, Kangaroos, Yellow, Operas and Uncles. 

If you are a teacher, you can do this with your students.  You could time them and offer a prize for the most words for each letter.  Or they could write a gratitude story with their “thank you” words.  Encourage your students to think about saying thank you by having a discussion about the benefits in doing so.  Tell them each time they say thank you, they are a ThankYouologist!  And parents can do this activity with children during “drive” or “flight” time.   

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Going to the mall or your favorite coffee shop…and parking is always at a premium?    Here’s an easy way to get a parking space.  When you are on approach, start saying “thank you” to the person who is going to vacate “your” parking space.  That’s right…assume in your mind that your parking space is waiting for you when you need it.  Call it positive thinking, call it whatever you want.  I call it really fun each and every time it happens. 

P.S.  I adapted this idea from a professional selling skill I learned at a Xerox training many, many years ago.  In that context, we were taught to “assume the sale until told otherwise.”  That’s good advice too.  Thanks Xerox!

When the New Year rolled around, I started a new personal practice.  It has to do with digestion–allowing time for my food to digest.  With a home office, it has been a long-time habit to check emails while preparing a meal or to jump up in the middle of eating if something crosses my mind “to do” at the computer.  Geez, how in the world can my digestive system work well with all that moving around?

Many cultures recognize the importance of giving food our undivided attention when we are preparing and eating a meal.  While that hasn’t exactly been my practice over the years, I thought it was worth implementing some small steps toward that goal.  If I can take the time to digest information for an important decision, how about taking some time for my body to digest the food I give it. Isn’t that just as important, if not more? 

Now my intention for each meal is to prepare it without going to the computer.  Also, I do my best not to read anything while I am eating.  To simply be there with my meal.  To appreciate it and to acknowledge my body for its ability to utilize the food for nourishment of my cells and all my needs.  After I finish eating, my goal is to sit for at least 5 minutes.  Believe me, this was a real challenge at first.  And some times it still is!

While I sit and let my body begin to digest the food, I say thank you to every function of my digestive system.  I have no idea how everything works.  I sure am glad it does.  I figure this is the least I can to do help that process along.  Think about the miracle of this event that happens in our body day in and day out. 

See what happens when you apply Body ThankYouology at meal time in some way that works for you.  At least give the “5 minute” rule a chance.  See what happens when you slow down just a little bit to give your body time to digest the food you have just eaten.  Maybe if you have had any kind of digestive problems, the symptoms might be reduced?  It’s worth a try.  At least “chew on” the idea okay?  Thanks!

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