CARPE DIEM

Thank you.....

 rosprynn © 2005

 

"Thank you".  How often do you say those words?  I don't mean just because it is considered good manners - I mean really thought about those words, really felt, and meant the gratitude that those words imply.

 

Those are two of the most commonly used words (even in French - 2 words "merci beaucoup"). As an everyday convention in chatrooms, we may type "ty", and of course that is usually followed by "yw". In the grocery store line-up, we say "thanks"; I gesture "thank you" when another driver allows me right of way. (Really - I do!) The list is endless of times when we say a brief "thank you" as we go through our day.

 

I have been thinking about gratitude a lot lately, and part of that is acknowledging when another has made an effort to improve our lives.  No matter whether the gesture is grandiose or fleetingly small, I believe a simple 'thank you' recognizes the contribution we make in each other's lives.

 

I have been given much in my lifetime, tangible and intangible, by many people all over the world. I have been very grateful for all the lessons sent my way by each of those people. I have tried to make a point of recognizing those times with each of them, and saying "thank you" to them. Like most of us, though, I have often hurried on my merry way without taking that few seconds to express my soul-deep (is there such a word?!) gratitude for the laughs, the tears, and all the other stuff in between we humans feel. 

 

As we meet along the road, we may share love, laughter, tears, anger, grief, sorrow.    For the brief moments we may walk this long and winding road together, we open our hearts, and share our soul truths.  Some of us are destined to travel many miles together; others step away after a brief stay, never to be 'spoken' with again.   No matter the 'time' frame, we can learn a lot from every interaction.   Some of the learning brings us all out belly laughs.  Yep - those are my favourite times; you know, when you laugh so hard you cry! Other lessons may cause us great sorrow as humans, but I, for one, am profoundly grateful for each and every gift.  I am grateful for every person who has graced my life with their time, given of themselves to me with an open heart.  I am also grateful to those who have challenged me, my way of being in this world.  Those times have brought me as many opportunities for growth as the "feel good" (for want of a better word!) encounters.

 

I suggest that it is the same for each of us.  It is easy to be grateful for all the good things in our lives.  I constantly thank my daughter for so many things, even as she always says, "you don't have to thank me mum"; and I always reply, "well, yes, actually I do."

 

And so it is with each of you. Even if we never talk or meet again, I want each of you to know, I am grateful to the place you have had in my life. I am richer for your presence.

 

THANK YOU!