A friend recently challenged me to write a Thank You note everyday for two months. I liked the idea so much that I challenged the congregation to "40 Days of Thank You!". Its a simple concept: 1 Thank You note per day for 40 Days.
The concept is as powerful as it is simple. Gratitude is the foundational virtue for a growing soul. Practicing gratitude opens us up to the provisions and grace of God that are all around us. The more we practice, the more we see. The more we see, the larger our hearts grow and the more we are able to allow God's grace to flow in and through us.
How about it- are you up for this challenge? If you started on Monday, it would take you to New Year's Day. Let me know if you take this on and I hope you'll share your experience of "40 Days of Thank You!"
While I didn't quite meet the challenge of a thank-you note a day, I did use this exercise throughout December and January. Two things happened for me. First, I received a response from two friends...one who communicates with me regularly via email, mail, phone. She had to write to me to tell me I was a jerk and made her cry (that's a compliment). The other friend is someone I don't hear from, but have continued to reach out to. Guess the thank you note did the trick. I received a lengthy thoughtful letter from her. Reconnection!
The other thing that happened was that I used the thank you note as a way to help me through angry feelings I was having with people in my life. Instead of firing off an irritated email, I wrote a thank you note remembering the things about these people that I was grateful for. I experienced an immediate change of attitude and instead of receiving a negative communication, they received something positive. What could be better?
I'm keeping note cards in my purse to continue this practice.
Posted by: Dorothy Smith | January 24, 2016 at 03:41 PM