thank you

I'm not going to bother trying to play catch up or highlight all the many thoughts, events, ideas, photos that have occurred since last I visited here.  Just the thought of that makes me want to scrap this altogether.  And that's the thing, I don't want to scrap this here blog altogether.  I like my little space here.

Sadly my last post was all the way back in May.  May seems like it was another century at this point in time.  In May, all three of my kids were in Elementary school. Now, I have a middle schooler.  In May we had the whole glorious summer ahead of us.  Now, we are basking in the wonders of fall.  In May life was crazy busy chaotically hectic.  Now...life is still crazy busy chaotically hectic.  Ah well, not everything changes. 

This past year I've made more of an effort to embrace gratitude. And I don't mean remembering to say a polite thank you, although that is always a good idea to do.  I read an article in the Sunday paper reviewing a book I believe.  The point of the book was to inspire people to express gratitude to someone every day, or maybe week (can't quite remember...I blame old age).   I thought what a wonderful attitude.  To look for the little things we have to be grateful for and most importantly to make sure those responsible for those little things know how much we appreciate it.  Wouldn't the world be a happier place if more of us did that?

Well, I knew I don't have the sticktoittiveness to adhere to one a day, or even one a week.  I like to set that bar low, I guess.  But I bought a few boxes of thank you notes and when I thought to myself, "wasn't that nice of so and so..." I made a point to grab a card and scribble off a note.  My life hasn't changed dramatically but I have noticed a subtle shift in my attitude.  I see the good in people more and find myself believing that there is more good in the world than not.  And that makes me happier.  And happier is good.

You know what I've discovered?  Writing thank you notes is contagious.  I found this little note one morning shortly after school began from my now seven (!!??) year old.  In case you can't decipher it..."It has been a great summer.  Thank you Mom and Dad for this wonderful summer."  And that little note right there, had the power to change my whole day.  It still does now, several weeks later.

Give it a shot.  Try thanking someone you may not normally think to thank.  You may just turn their whole day around.