I can live two months on a good compliment.  ~ Mark Twain 

Several years ago before my wedding, I did a special Turbo Kick class themed for the occasion (Turbo Kick is a cardio kickboxing fitness format found in fitness facilities around the world). I asked everyone to wear white. No gifts please, just wear white and bring your enthusiasm. At the end of class, one of my students who I had known through the gym for 10 years approached me and gave me a card. She told me it was not just because I was getting married, but it was also because I made her smile every week, brought joy to her life during tough times and because she just thought of me as a good person who made a positive difference in her life. She said she just wanted to thank me and know how much I meant to her and she handed me the envelope.

My heart filled with warmth from her kind words…Her expression of gratitude warmed my soul so much that I gave her a huge hug. Then she then told me she wouldn’t be taking the class anymore because of her knees. We talked and reminisced a few minutes more, she thanked and congratulated me again on the upcoming wedding and I never saw her again. I didn’t even have an address or a number to send her a thank you card and she didn’t live in the area any more.

After arriving home, I opened the card there were even more words of gratitude and a $100 gift card. As if her verbal thank you wasn’t enough, I was completely blown away. Although the gift card is long gone, I still have the written card today.

I often think of her expression of gratitude and how much it meant/means to me; the feeling and expressions still warm my heart and bring me a smile.

Did you know studies show that expressing and or practicing daily gratitude results in higher levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, optimism, and energy? In addition, it may aid in reducing levels of depression and stress. Further, gratitude helps those receiving and those giving progress toward achieving personal goals.

Are you grateful to the people who have made a difference in your life in a big or small way? Don’t wait let them know how you feel today!

3 Quick Tips for Showing Gratitude:

1. Say thank you.

This is so simple; just say “thank you.” These are very powerful words. Tell the person face to face how much they inspired, helped, motivated or influenced you. You would be surprised that not only will you make their day, but you will feel a rush of happiness too.

2. Show your gratitude.

Sometimes we are not able to tell a person face-to-face how much we appreciate their effect on our lives. Or maybe we feel we would like to get creative: Send flowers, send a thank you card, get creative and make something, buy them a small piece of inspired jewelry to show your thanks and how grateful you are.  

3. Pay it forward.

When someone does something nice for you, turn right around and do the same thing for someone else. Start a gratitude attitude chain reaction.

Gratitude helps those receiving and those giving progress toward achieving success in life and relationships. Don’t wait and express, share and practice your gratitude today!

Additional Information on Gratitude:

Dr. Robert Emmons, author of “Thanks! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier”

Has a great video on how gratitude strengthens relationships, improves health, reduces stress and in general makes us happier. Watch here: http://youtu.be/RRrnfGf5aWE

Things you can do: http://education.byu.edu/youcandothis/expressing_gratitude.html

http://education.byu.edu/youcandothis/expressing_gratitude.html