Side Note- The Importance of Saying Thanks

Who would have thought that a blog about a city could also double as a reminder to be courteous and appreciative?

My friends, the days of personal, handwritten notes are sadly wilting. But let me ask you this: do you prefer an email or a hand written note stained with the personalized script of someone who took their time to thank you? Wouldn't you jump at the opportunity to do something for that person again?

Here's what I think, everyone knows the golden rule: do unto others what you would have done unto you, but we're all a little selfish. We feel that other people should write us notes, thank us, do things for us. Us, us, us. We think we're so cool. We have an entitled state of mind. We are made to believe that we deserve to be noticed because "we're so great." Wake up. What have you done to be able to hold yourself to such high regards? Honestly.

We need to work on humbling ourselves. I cannot speak for everybody because I haven't walked in everyones shoes. But what I observe on a daily basis tells me that we are a society of needy, lazy, complaining folk who believe that their "good intentions" merit them for awards. Good intentions are nothing without actions. It's arrogance. Let's call it for what it is. We're arrogant.

Now, you may be asking how this ties into thank you notes. Simple. Be the guy who notices a good deed, (no matter how small) and acknowledge it. I encourage you to do so. If someone gives you a gift, buys you coffee, takes you to lunch, makes time for you, offers to help you with an assignment, or any other possible selfless deed, thank them. Be the selfless person who thinks of someone else's greatness over your own. We all need encouragement. No one owes you anything. Don't assume that you deserve an extra hand. Thank that extra hand, always thank those who help you.

And heads up: The world doesn't owe you a single thing, but you owe it. It was Einstien, history's smartest man that often said, "only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile." A genius told us to be helpful to others. And I assure you that Einstein was a man of thought. He was a very lonely man due to his solitude. He was quoted saying, "It is strange to be known so universally and yet to be so lonely."

So guys, put this thought to practice. Go out and buy a pack of 10 Thank You cards. And go on a mission! Your mission: rid yourself of those cards in 2 weeks. Believe me, there will be a sufficient amount of people to thank. You will make their day.


One of my favorite quotes:
Well, what is essential about you? And who are those who have helped you become the person that you are? Anyone who has ever graduated from a college, anyone who has ever been able to sustain a good work, has had at least one person and often many who have believed in him or her. We just don't get to be competent human beings without a lot of different investments from others.
Fred Rogers