Saying thank you is something we were taught from the get-go in life. We learn that is a must to show good manners and gratitude, showing appreciation for the effort of others.

Basically, if someone provides you with something, we say thank you in recognition of their kind gesture.

 According to Google University, “Thank You” is a polite expression used when acknowledging a gift, service, or compliment, or accepting or refusing an offer.

Meaning regardless of the circumstance, saying thank you is polite!

My question is, how many of us say thank you with intent? A true meaningful thank you. From what I realised the many, extremely vast majority of us go on on “Automated” thank you mode all the time. Our replay is the programming that is embedded in us. Never forget to say “Please and Thank You”.

Now, check yourself and be honest, how many of you out there, that your “Thank You” is only meaningful when you’re being sarcastic?

I had this boss that only look at your face and say thank you when he was being sarcastic. Pissed me off like nothing. Not because he ever behaved like that with me but by seeing him doing it to others.

I also realised that we only express our true sincere thank you when we lose something important, someone finds it and gave them back to us. These days, our phones are one of the most precious commodities.

I was at work, a group of tourist teenagers came to the store, it was a busy day, and overwhelmed by so much excitement one of them ended up losing their phone.

One of the staff brought them to me, the girl that lost her phone was in tears and panicking as if she had lost her soul. I calmed her down and after asking her to describe her phone I got in touch with the security room and they told me to pop over to the lost and found, I did and came back with the phone. That girl gave me the biggest and tightest hug I ever had, crying her eyes out happily while thanking me nonstop just because I gave her her phone back.

I could tell that her gratitude was real.

Some people live a luxurious life, have a job to go to, some have an acceptable roof over their head and even gym memberships and yet, still complain that they don’t have enough.

I remember when I was about 14, I was going to a friend’s party, I stood in front of my wardrobe looking from left to right disappointed. Titia came to say hi, (Titia) was my Grandmother. She noticed my frustration and I explained that I had nothing to wear for the party, she look at my open wardrobe, just shook her head disappointed and said to me in a stern voice that I haven’t ever heard from her before, she said that I was being very ungrateful and it’s wrong. She reminded me of one of my cousins that had torn clothes but was happy and proud because it was what she had and it was clean. And urge me to stop being spoiled and pay attention to my surroundings and see how others are grateful for the minimum they had while I’m being selfish and undeserving, and she walked away mumbling something that I couldn’t hear. Probably calling me a brat and I fully deserved it.

I can tell you, those words hurt me a lot! She had never scolded me that way before and I felt ashamed. The lesson was that gratitude is everything! I have learned it and believe that learning to be grateful for what you have is actually a great stress relief.

I challenge you, just make notes of all that you have because I’m sure you have a lot and just took it for granted. But if you want to know what you should be grateful for, I dare you to walk the streets and take a look at those sleeping rough and go back home and list your blessings, it will be a great revelation.

If you can read this article with any device it means you are fortunate. I’m assuming you have a phone or a computer, yours or at work. I’m assuming that you don’t live under the bridge or on an exposed cardboard shelter on the road, again I’m assuming that you can afford an internet/wifi bill so… what is your reason for dismissing what you have?

It brakes my heart to see so many people out there with nothing to call their own but still hanging on to dear life while some people are sleeping in a comfortable bed complaining about their lives.

You have 2 or 3 meals a day… (unless you’re on some sort of intermittent diet or fasting), while some can’t afford any, and not by choice!

You probably have more than 10 pairs of shoes while some are walking with their all faithful with more holes than a sieve, yet, they keep walking while you’re complaining about not having enough. I understand and I can’t blame you for it.

Although I was told off by Titia, I only learn to be grateful a few years ago. I lived my life taking everything for granted. I don’t cry for what I don’t have but I never said thank you for what I have. I guess the mindset was I paid for them therefore they are mine unapologetically. But I have learnt.

I think it’s important to be grateful for what we have instead of complaining about what we don’t have, lack mentality will take you nowhere.

By the one and only,

Graciete