Someone left a message on my phone this week. To say thanks.
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It was lovely. And sad.
Sad because in my experience, this is rare in Australia.
We suck at thanking people (though strangely we're much better at mocking people we say we love).
A few years ago it was trendy to 'practice gratitude'. Make lists of things you're thankful for. Apparently it's good for you.
But last I checked, being thankful isn't only a feeling - we thank a person.
Otherwise it's just being happy about nice stuff others do. Merely listing things we're thankful for is a cheat. A bypass. And selfish if you're doing it to feel better about yourself.
Here's a few of the people I've had reason to thank recently: government agents, firies, police, decent tradies, my awesome wife, church volunteers.
But I haven't actually thanked all of these.
Why? Laziness. Selfishness. Thoughtlessness.
Who have you got to thank this week? Stop reading and go do it.
Don't just practise gratitude, practise actually saying thanks to people.