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Gratefulness: Show
Gratefulness Goes Beyond Words
How
do I say “Thank you”? Words are symbols.
A
partner who says, “We’re in this together!” but guards only his own
interests, speaks empty words.
Words are symbols that depend upon how we live them out for
their meaning. The words
thank you are no
exception.
We
infuse our words with gratitude by demonstrating gratefulness
through our actions.
Multi-millionaire Andrew Carnegie enjoyed showing his gratitude by
giving large sums of money to benefit others, especially in the
realm of education.
However, it is a rare individual who has command of such resources,
and a financial gift may not be the best way to demonstrate gratitude.
Following are some practical ideas for saying “Thank you” by your
actions as well as your mouth.
In addition to
saying “Thank you”:
Take
Care of Property – You can show gratefulness on the job by
taking good care of the equipment provided for you.
In a similar way, sons and daughters at home can show
gratefulness by taking care of the clothes and furniture their
parents provide.
Extend
Help – Recognizing that others have taken initiative to meet
needs in your life, an appropriate expression of gratitude is to go
out of your way to help others.
Fulfill
Expectations – It is a thankless child who receives food and
favor from her parents but ignores household chores.
Within their own spheres of life, men and women can express
gratitude by taking initiative and fulfilling the expectations of
their authorities.
Make
Good Use of It – Whatever the gift of benefit extended to you,
it is an expression of gratitude to use it as the giver intended for
you to use it.
Build
the Relationship – Get to better know the one who has benefited
you. Take time to talk
over coffee about his job or family, and seek to build a closer
friendship that is rewarding for everyone involved.
Give
a Handshake – Even in our high-tech, high-speed culture, a good,
firm, old-fashioned handshake is still a meaningful expression of
camaraderie and appreciation.
 Thank
Publicly – Andrew Carnegie expressed appreciation for his wife’s
faithful support during a difficult period of his life by telling
other friends and business associates how grateful he was for her.
In addition to thanking you benefactor directly, it is often
appropriate to tell bystanders of your gratefulness.
Gratefulness involves far more than words, and
there are countless ways to express thanks.
In fact, if gratefulness fails to go beyond words, it ceases
to be genuine.
Say
“Thank you” with your words – and also with your life.
Show on
the Job
When unemployment was high during the Great Depression,
employees were grateful for their jobs.
The employer was seen as a benefactor, and the employee was
thankful for the privilege of working.
When
the economy is booming and good workers are difficult to find, this
perspective tends to shift.
Employees may then be viewed as the benefactors, and
employers as debtors to the men and women they employ.
The
fact is, both views are accurate; and either perspective out of
balance is inaccurate.
Employers do owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who get
the job done. Likewise,
employees benefit from the structure and provision of their jobs and
have much reason to thank their employers.
Words expressing
gratefulness are insufficient in either case.
Care of equipment, provision of benefits, respect for
colleagues, fulfillment of expectations, and other practical
expressions prove the presence of genuine gratefulness.
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