I mean it.

Thank (verb) - express gratitude to someone by saying "Thank You" When was the last time you took a moment to think to yourself before actually uttering these two words? It's not that you don't say it, but how thankful are you really when  you say it?

It's been a little over a month now since I've been working at Lululemon Athletica, and these are two words I've been saying and hearing way more often. We're encouraged to be present & express gratitude not just to guests but to one another. This is something that should be practiced everywhere.

The way I say it throughout the day and hear it throughout the day are all so different:

"Thanks!"

"Thanks."

"Thank you."

"Thank you!"

"Thanks so much!"

"Thank you SO much."

"Thank you sooooo much."

Sometimes I don't hear it at all.

Ever since we were young, many of us were programmed to say it instinctually when someone does something for us... even if it wasn't much anything: "THANKS... FOR NOTHING!"

It really rubs us the wrong way when we don't hear it when we usually do or "are supposed to", and it rubs us the wrong way when someone thanks us with the wrong tone: "Ew. RUDE." <-- but even when that happens it's silly because that means we expected reciprocity and that really isn't doing something out of the kindness of our hearts. (Forreal though, some people should learn some manners and I even mean grown folk.)

But really, I realize that I can never thank someone enough when I'm really grateful. I don't want to be annoying about it, but when I do say thank you, I want people to hear me and feel me.

When I say thank you, it's me acknowledging the fact that you didn't have to do "this" or "that" for me.

When I say thank you, it's me acknowledging the kind words you said made me feel great and I'm thankful for your uplifting words.

When I say thank you, it's me acknowledging I'm not entitled to anything. I'm just super blessed to be surrounded by folks that constantly stretch my heart and give me the feels <3

I know that when I hear and also feel the thank you, it brings a huge smile to my face.

When John & I first started working on music together in our home studio, I had this problem of not saying thank you enough. I'm usually really good about this especially to people I've just met, but there's the tendency to get comfortable with close family and friends - I think this is where a lot of us fail at and that's remembering that we can't ever stop being grateful especially to those who have stuck by us the longest. John felt like I was just bossing him around & we talked about it so now whenever I ask him something I make the effort to say please & thank you even if I'm flustered with myself because of my own vocals :p

I have a lot to be grateful for in this lifetime. Many people have lent their talents, time, and love to be there for me & help me get to where I am today and continue to help build my path ahead of me. I can't ever say thank you enough and I know that I'll have the rest of my life to not only say it, but show it to them. You know who you are.

Reader, I challenge you to say thank you with all your heart from this moment forward. Take a moment to remember those you haven't said thank you to in a while even if the interaction you had with them was long ago, no matter how big or small it was. Even if you've already said thank you, I bet it would make their day to hear from you again as you remind them how awesome they are to have touched your life the way they did. Nothing is in vain.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

I mean it.