Make Time for Gratitude

For the past several years, I have had the privilege of sharing many conversations with Ralph Hudson, MD, retired. Here is a man, who, seventeen years after his retirement, is warmly greeted by those with whom he has come in contact, whether patient, professional, family, or friend. Here is a man, who, through his “back porch conversations” in Nursing Matters, continues to contribute his wisdom to the heath care profession. Here is a man who, in his dealings with others, always expresses genuine concern for their welfare. Ralph truly cares about those he meets, and they know it. While Ralph has many admirable traits, his foundation is thankfulness, which he practices every day.

At Thanksgiving, however, Ralph demonstrates his thankfulness in two very unique ways. He applies to Thanksgiving, his favorite holiday, the practices that many of us apply to Christmas. He writes a special Thanksgiving poem and hands it out with a box of sumptuous Georgia chocolates. If you are fortunate to be a recipient of Ralph's thankfulness, you feel special indeed. You also feel mightily thanked. His thankfulness is so memorable that, in my mind, he has become synonymous with Thanksgiving.

Thank you, Ralph.

Isn't he a wonderful role model for all of us?

Stop for a moment and think. When was the last time that you thanked someone? Did you thank the wait staff at your last dining experience? Did you send a thank you note to someone today? Did you thank your spouse, your child, a friend, or a co-worker for something that he or she did today?

For that matter did you receive a thank-you today? Was it spoken, written, or e-mailed? Was it an extra thank-you or one done as a routine? I recently received a beautifully hand-written thank-you from Becky of Becky's Olive Salsa for the Profitable Marketing Insight that I wrote about her. Did that thank-you make me feel great! I grinned from ear to ear for quite a while. I pinned it up on my bulletin board. I noticed it everyday as I walked past. Becky's thank-you made her and her product more memorable than ever to me. Even more, she made me feel good. When you make someone feel good, that person will do more business with you and recommend you more often, right?

Most of us who practice thankfulness, me included, do not have Ralph's diligence, which, by comparison, makes his thankfulness all the more notable. As Ralph knows, there is no traffic jam on the extra mile of thankfulness. In fact, it's generally a rather lonely road that few travel. You will meet Ralph and his ilk there. You will also reap the benefits which you receive from being thankful.

I recently heard some people attempting not to complain for twenty-one days. Instead, I recommend that you, and they, give an extra, genuine thank-you every day for twenty-one, or more, days. Thankfulness is an attitude that you develop and exercise daily. It makes you richer and your business more profitable. While highlighted by Thanksgiving, gratitude remains the ultimate gift whatever the season, whatever the day. Use this Thanksgiving as your first day of learning to make time for gratitude. Do it.

Thank you for reading this Insight.