Expressing

How do you express your gratitude?

I always wonder if I’m expressing gratitude properly.

As a child, I suspect I had some weird mixed messages around giving and receiving and the correct manners required (which were never clear). What WAS clear, was that we didn’t deserve what we were given. Also guilt. Lots of guilt!

I never thought about this actually as a grown up, weirdly.

I love gratitude. I have seen it transform my life several times over. I’ve kept gratitude journals for years, but the question of how do I ‘express’ it makes me uncomfortable.

Like, I will surely get it wrong.

I say thank you, of course. I’ve written thank you notes but nearly always break into a sweat over my ill expressed literary thankfulness.

I’m in a place in my life now that is all about letting go of whatever obstacles that are in my way, so, maybe it’s good that I’m considering this today

I like being grateful. I AM appreciative. I thoroughly enjoy little things. When I think of it this way, I feel like a truly thankful person. Take the manners and protocol out of the equation and it’s fun.

One time I was in Rome trying out gelato for the first time in Italy. I was so overwhelmed and excited about the whole colorful experience that I almost cried. The Italian guy waiting on me saw my emotion and was extra kind to me. He even included an extra flavor to try. Somehow, I think enthusiasm is contagious.

Later we found ourselves in a little shop in Paris. They had the most beautiful fruits and vegetables I’ve ever seen. Again I was overcome. I bought an odd array of things, but I was most excited about these tiny plums that were both delicious and so pretty.

Maybe I best express my gratitude with enthusiasm and sheer love of a thing, or an experience, or a person…

I also appreciate a good appreciater. My son once had a girlfriend who was great at recieving compliments. She would say “oh thank you, you are so sweet”, or “wow you are so kind!” My little grand daughter says in her cute little baby voice “oh sank you!” Once after I said “that was a nice walk” she sincerely thanked me taking full credit for our nice walk