Those two simple words can reorient your life: "thank you." It's often noted that it is much easier to bitch and moan than to have a truly grateful attitude, and that choosing the easier route will make your life a huge burden of negativity, but somehow it failed to escape me how much others need gratitude and appreciation.
Yesterday, on a FB friend's wall, I saw written, "A person who feels appreciated will always do more than what is expected." That made me realize how much thanks can mean to other people--which sounds obvious, but honestly, I don't particularly expect or care about being thanked for what I do (though I do like it), so it might not occur to me to be as outwardly grateful to others for what they do. In fact, making an effort to thank people also CREATES an attitude of gratitude in oneself: saying "thank you" reminds you to be inwardly thankful as a general principle.
Ultimately, Christians should say, "Deo gratias," thanks be to God, but that doesn't come out of thin air. We don't instinctively say thank you to God for all the gifts (and crosses) he sends us, because we are fallen human beings and more focused on ourselves than on anything else. "Does this please me? Well, it is only my due." That is the selfish, instinctive attitude that being grateful overcomes. How to start overcoming? Just say thanks!
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