Saying thank you is such a simple thing & it comes naturally to many of u in the grocery store or a doctor's office. A number of years ago I walked to my car after teaching a yoga class. It was almost 10:00 PM. A police care was parked next to me and I felt grateful and safer. I stowed my yoga gear and decided to leave a note on the windshield. Pulling out one of my business cards, I wrote:

Thank you for showing up for work tonight.

I felt safer as I walked to my car after teaching a class. 

I lived less than 10 minutes from there & my phone rang before I made it home. It was the police officer calling to thank me. He told me he had never been thanked for doing his job before and he was blown away.

That didn't feel right to me so I started a new habit. Whenever I see a police officer or a fire fighter and I can approach them without interrupting them, I ask to shake their hand and I thank them for showing up because I appreciate them and all that they do for...

One of the relationship studies I did years ago spoke to the importance of appreciation. We all need to be appreciated. I developed a habit of telling people, especially little children that I met through my job, that I was very glad they were born. I continue to do this and, almost without exception, young or old, they ask me why I'm glad. My answer is always the same, "I am glad you were born so that I could know you because I think you are wonderful!" It is such a joy to see faces light up as they take in those words. When I meet a person who is comfortable with previous life connections, I will say that I am glad they were born into this lifetime so that we could meet again. The response on their part is the same, eyes light up, faces smile, hugs follow.

My father taught me many years ago to appreciate people who give me service, especially because so many people only speak what they are feeling when they have a complaint.  Here are some examples of how I have followed his...