Magic Words

Thank you is a powerful statement. Such a simple phrase really doesn’t seem like a mage’s chant or sorcerers mantra, but within these two words is contained the power to instill loyalty, divert wrath, bolster love, and erase misconceptions or hurt. In today’s world of misconceived entitlement, gratitude seems to have become nothing more than a formality in polite society and lost on everyone else. To tap the power of gratitude it must be something felt rather than spoken.
To be entitled is to justly have something without giving anything in return. We as humans are all entitled things such as freedom of choice, equality, happiness, and the basics of maintaining life. We are not entitled to objects, so when we receive things that we need or desire it is wrong to believe that we owe nothing in return. Often, we owe nothing more then to acknowledge the source of our benefit through gratitude. However, because many believe that they are “entitled” they give nothing in return. The power of gratitude is lost on these individuals and they sell themselves short for worthless objects.
When you sincerely say “thank you,” you are saying much more than words. You convey to others a willingness to see past yourself and give others the reassurance that you care, that you don’t just see them as a means to an end. Your gratitude is also a need that others may have. It gives them needed feelings of being wanted and belonging.
In order for gratitude to have this magic effect it must be sincere. Bluntly, this means that you have to actually be thinking about others. It means that you have to put aside selfishness and feelings of entitlement. A selfish thank you will have the opposite effect and will be offensive. The Holiday Season is magical. Barriers can be broken down, hate dampened, and discord calmed if you have gratitude. Without gratitude, holidays are a hassle, and gifts are hollow and dissatisfying. This year add a little magic by sending a thank you card, thanking a relative for no purpose, and looking at what you have instead of focusing on what you don’t. Put a little magic in the air this year. Say “thank-you”.
-Charles