Giving Thanks All Year Long
-- Posted: November 15,2007 | Keri Thaler
Celebrate the season year-round by acknowledging what you're grateful for. Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to slow down and take stock of what's really important in your life. So before the meal, or after, while everyone is still seated at the table, invite each family member, friend and guest to state something they're thankful for. Pay special attention to the responses of the very young - their honesty may prove to be very enlightening. Gratitude can help you stop taking your life for granted. It can free you from petty annoyances and inspire you to think of other people. So why just limit gratitude to Thanksgiving?
Accept, Acknowledge, Appreciate
Try to remember the Three A's: Accept, Acknowledge, and Appreciate. the should replace the Three C's: Complaining, Condemning and Criticizing. The Three A's will get you much farther in developing positive relationships with co-workers, friends and family members.
Do Something for Someone Else
Yes, you've heard it before: it is better to give than to receive. One of the greatest rewards in helping others is the uplifted feeling you get while doing something philanthropic. If you aren't ready for any long-term volunteer commitments, it's possible to make a difference in hourly increments. Offer to deliver meals during lunch for Meals on Wheels. Help serve dinner for the homeless, volunteer at the animal shelter, or send care packages and write letters of gratitude to the U.S. Military. The rewards will be immeasurable.
Put it all in perspective
It's often easy to lose perspective on exactly how much we do have. It's easy to fell less than satisfied with you lot in life as you watch your neighbors drive up in a new car, install a new gourmet kitchen or jet off on an exotic vacation. These expenses don't always equate to happiness. Remember, what you have is always greater than what you need.
Focus on the positive
Keeping a positive outlook on life will change your entire perspective, as people have a tendancy to remember the bad things as vividly as the good. One way to solve this problem is to keep a gratitude journal that differs from a traditional journal by only containing positive entries. Also, try to remember what good things came out of a seemingly bad event, such as a difficult experience that brought you and a friend closer. Another exercise is to make a list of all the people that have had a positive effect on your life. You quickly realize how much good happens from nearly everyone you spend time with.
Showing Gratitude. Tips on Tipping
The holidays are the perfect opportunity to remember those who serve you regularly. The easiest way to give a tip is within a holiday card or small gift. And of course, it's nice to give your gift during the month of December to say thanks for a year of great service.
- Housekeeping: one week's pay.
- Gardener: $20 - $50
- Handyman: $15 - $40
- Newspaper Carrier: $25 - $50
- Teacher: $25 - $50; gift certificate for a book store or teacher supply store
- Child Instructor: small gift from your child
- Babysitter: one night's pay plus a small gift from your child
- Full Time Nanny: one week's to one month's pay, plus a small gift from your child
- Day Care Service: $25 - $70 plus a small gift from your child
- Parking Attendants: $10 - $20 each
- Manicurist / Stylist: $15 or more
- Mailman: $25 - $50
Keri Thaler, United Title of Texas
Keri is the Business Development Representative at United Title of Texas, a growing title company in the Katy / Cinco Ranch area. Along with the many tasks that come along with opening a new office, she is a member of the Women's Council of Realtors and the Houston Association of Realtors. Keri is an active member in her church at Epiphany Catholic Church, and also enjoys any spare time she has with her family and friends!
You can contact Keri at:
281.395.4151
kthaler@uttco.com
http://www.uttco.com
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