A Note of Thanks

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#InCoWriMo: Just start

Photo by Elijah O'Donell on Unsplash I've fallen out of a lot of habits so far this year. My weekly thank you note is one that I'm barely clinging on to. Every time that alarm goes off, excuses appear like the dust bunnies that manage to evade the broom every time I clean the kitchen. I didn't even know they were there, hiding deep in the corners, but they clutter up my thoughts. I don't have time right now. I sent a note to that person a few weeks ago. It would be weird if she got another card. I'm out of stamps. I don't have a small gift. The note is not worth it on its own. When I'm not practicing gratitude regularly, I forget that many times, these thank you notes are less for the person receiving it and more about recognizing the wonderful people in my life. I also forget that these notes might bring a bit of light to an otherwise dark day. That person crossed my mind for a reason -- possibly because of something they need to hear

My current inspiration: The Pattern Box

Usually when my reminder goes off every Monday to write a thank you note, I think back over the past week and identify a person who did something amazing, or something small that made a difference. If it's been a low-key week, I'll skim through my contact list to find a friend or colleague who I haven't reached out to in awhile. But recently, my inspiration has come from the notecards themselves. I stumbled on Barnes & Noble's get-everything-out-before-Christmas-inventory-arrives sale, which meant they had so many of their note cards at ridiculously low prices. I picked up this box of 100 postcards featuring different pattern artists thinking it would provide me an extensive stock of cards to choose from. Once I got it home and out of the wrapping I noticed how wonderfully different each card was. From mellow tones of abstract patterns to vibrant and sharp geometric shapes, I immediately started thinking of different people who would enjoy the card as much

This Week's Thank You Note: The one who asks good questions

Photo by Jonathan Simcoe on Unsplash I started a new job a few weeks ago. As with any reinvention, there is a lot of new. New environment. New people. New expectations. This is when I have to shush my introverted tendencies and put on my extroverted hat. As part of my training, I had one-on-one meetings with many of the people I'd be working closely with. It was an opportunity to learn more about what their jobs and daily tasks entail. But more than that, I wanted the opportunity to get to know the people I'd be working with and to ask them interesting questions . Getting to know my co-workers on a personal level is one of the best parts of starting a new job. Understanding personalities and learning where their passions are. I was surprised when many of them didn't really have an answer to "what excites you?" or figured I was talking about the job they do. Makes me think we don't ask that enough of each other. There was one conversation, though,

Five Questions That Lead to Interesting Conversations (and good thank you notes)

Conversation by Valery Kenski found on Flickr CC BY When meeting someone for the first time, it's easy to fall back on the standard small talk questions: What do you do? Where are you from? What are your hobbies? While that is good information to know, when you ask more interesting questions, the conversation becomes more authentic. When you ask interesting questions, you typically get interesting answers. When you get interesting answers, you don't have to force the small talk. The conversation flows more easily and is more memorable for both of you, making your follow-up notes easier to write. Here are a few of my favorite questions when I'm meeting someone for the first time. What excites you? It doesn't matter what they say. Self-driving cars. Sustainable living. Balloon animals. Whatever it is, it shows me that there is something out there that lights them up. Something that sparks curiosity. When you find their spark, you have a conversation topic tha

This week's thank you: the person who ties your shoes

Photo courtesy of Peter Hershey on Unsplash CC 0 Next time you tie your shoes, slow down and really watch your fingers move. See how complex the movements are just to get your shoes to stay on your feet. And you do that without even thinking. How many times a day do you disparage yourself? Feel like you aren't good enough. Like you should have done better. Known better. Do you do it so often you don't even realize you are doing it? And yet, you do so many things each day that makes other people's lives better and makes the world better. You tip the waiter. You serve your clients with empathy. You smile and hold the door for someone. These things may seem small to you, but they can make the difference in someone's day. How many times each year do you surprise yourself by doing something you didn't think you were capable of? Running that extra mile? Successfully completing that difficult project? Starting that side business that's been bouncing

For those who excel at being human

My son is 15 years old. It's a strange age. He is starting to look like an adult. The discussions we have are like talking with an adult, albeit with slightly less life experience. I trust him to cook for himself on occasion and not burn the house down. And yet, at 15, there are so many concerns that seem to hit teenagers harder than most adults. Am I smart enough? Do I look good enough? Am I funny enough? Do people like me? Most people need reminders of the things they do well. It's hard to see when it's something that is part of you and you do it every day. This is even more true for the students in your life. They are wrestling with worries about their future as well as their present. Finals. College entrance exams. Scholarship essays. Scholarship rejection letters. Instagram vacation pictures. Snapchat snide comments. Athletic personal records that surpass theirs. So many ways to feel like they are not enough. And yet, they are still studying. Still trying. Still ac