Have you thanked your instructor lately?  Your training buddies? Your support system? Your trial volunteers?  Your advocates?  Your spouse?

I am incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by people who are positive and appreciative of the things that I do, therefore I get thanked all the time.  And yet, I never grow tired of it.  Indeed, it makes me want to work harder because I know that my efforts were noted and appreciated!

And when I work hard on someone’s behalf and they seem oblivious to my efforts?  Well, I’ll continue to do what I think is right but…it’s not quite the same.  It doesn’t motivate me to go above and beyond.

And when I run into the cranky person who complains, in spite of my efforts?  Then I do my best under the circumstances, but those people aren’t much fun. And if I have a choice in the future – to work with that person again or to take on that job or position again?  No thank you. It’s someone else’s turn.

It’s so easy to focus on the things that go wrong around us that sometimes we forget to identify and focus on the things that go right. And yet, so much around us goes right all the time!  It’s just a matter of identifying those moments and remembering to be thankful.

So go ahead, stop reading this blog and send a note to someone who has made a difference in your life. They’ll appreciate it. I promise.