“Please” and “thank you.” Those were the magic words, Mom and Dad said. Corny? Yep. But, you know what, when I taught my kids to say them, they were kind of magical.
“Happiness isn’t necessary for gratitude, gratitude is necessary for happiness. This seems counter-intuitive, but the only way to be consistently happy is to build a happiness baseline focused on gratitude.” ~from How to be Happy
“Enter with the password: ‘Thank you!’ making yourself at home!”
~Psalm 100:4
Mom and Dad were right.
Exactly!
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They are important magic words. We still teach our kids these words. I found people, as a general rule, have become rude, disrespectful and entitled. Manners, it seems, have become exception to the rule. Sad. I miss the old days.
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Apparently an international phenomenon, Anne, since what you describe in South Africa is all too true in the U.S., as well.
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Perhaps we can make a positive difference one person and one step at a time. 😊
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Very true…I’ve been thinking about this A LOT lately! Gratitude changes everything because it changes your mind as you walk through circumstances. That is something we practice in our home. We have a ritual of saying at least 3 things we are thankful for before we go to bed…when the kids start complaining, I say ok…now start thinking about what you’re thankful for and share with us what they are. I do the same thing…sometimes I have to take a few deep breaths and meditate on what I am thankful for.
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A great habit to get into–and to teach your kids to get into!
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Thankyou, Mitch! 💕👑
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Well said
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Thank you! (See, I’m practicing what my folks taught me ;>)
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😃
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Yes, they were… about that and so many other things too. So ‘grateful!’ 👍🏻😊
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There’s even research that backs up the power of gratitude in our lives, making us healthier physically and psychologically. For starters, thankfulness reduces stress and contributes to better sleep. I love it when secular science backs up what the Bible has taught us all along: “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). It’s God’s will, not because he needs our appreciation. He knows WE benefit from gratitude.
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Yep!
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There is power in words. That’s how the Lord made it all.
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Very true. I’ve never heard/read it put that way before 🙂
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Amen.
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