Is it too much trouble these days for people to say thank you? Instead of fighting with the guy next to you during a lane merge, you let him in. Does he give a little wave or say thanks? Uh, no. You notice the gal behind you at the check out line has only two items and an infant so you let her go ahead of you in line. Does she say thanks? No, but that doesn’t stop her from taking you up on your offer. You hold the door open so that guy or gal can step through it as well. Do they give you a smile or thanks? Nope, they just breeze on by.

Now maybe it’s just the stress and frazzle dazzle of the holiday season. But I don’t think so. I have noticed that less and less people seem to appreciate when someone does a kindness. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt, maybe they do indeed notice, but they sure as hell don’t seem to show their appreciation.

Why is that? Are we so busy? Have we become so entitled? I don’t know the answer and to be honest, I really don’t care. I’d much rather someone smile or say thanks than give me 1001 reasons why they can’t. It’s such a small thing, I know.

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Speaking of saying thank you, when did it get to the point that merely saying “thank you” just wasn’t enough? When did folks become so used to people saying thanks or showing appreciation that they now demand more (see above – I’m my own contradiction, I know. In my defense, I’m speaking more like the random acts of kindness and every day niceties above).

I work with people that volunteer their time to help me and I appreciate it so much – especially how it often helps to save my sanity – that I do my best to say “thank you” every chance I get (and I don’t doubt that it’s still not often enough). But to have someone (or sometwenty) talk about being used or unappreciated is tough to hear (this was something that happened over the last year or so ago). I mean how many times can you say the words “thanks” or “thank you” to someone for it to finally become thanks enough? How many personal emails, cards, gifties or tokens of appreciation does it take nowadays? When did a mere “thank you” stop being thanks enough?

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Which of course reminds me of all the small things in my life that I’m thankful for…

• the internetz – oh lordy how I’ve missed you so!
• modems – can’t access that world wide web without you
• hot water – I don’t care how drying it is for your skin, nothing beats a scalding hot shower when it’s cold
• chocolate – ’nuff said
• nail polish – who doesn’t feel pretty and happy with bright, shiny toe nails?
• Boots’ Olive, Almond & Sage Wonderbalm – where have you been all my chapped-handed life?
• a cup of hot tea – I may loves me the lattes, but nothing works for me like a hot cup of tea!
• fresh baked bread with butter – yummy!
• Bare Escentuals’ Lip Savor – I feel in love with this lip balm 10 or so years ago. A couple of years back, BE stopped making it. Now it’s back and I’m lovin’ the hell out of it. Best.lip.balm.E.V.E.R. (and only $5!)
• Netflix – what else was I to do while I was without the internet? Why, how about I watch some Veronica Mars?!?!
• Library – I’m saving a small fortune in books thanks to the library. I’m loving it so much I’m going to look into volunteering at my local branch. So worth it to give back like that.
• the wonderful ladies from Ladies Who Launch that found my plea for more information and took the time to share their own personal experiences with me. I can’t wait until January!
• Blogs – blogging is fun. What did I ever do before blogging the minutia that is my life?
• My new blogging friends – I’ve met some pretty cool people through this online world of blogging (even if I have been way too busy to catch up or comment).
• and of course, my friends, my hubby and my boys *sigh* such love!

So to everyone out there who reads this post, to you I say “thank you.” My hope is that you will take a moment to thank someone (or something) in your life today. What a way to start a weekend!