I remember buying these boxes of pizza in our town with these printed words, “THANK YOU”, in different languages. This reminds me of how thankful this pizza company is to their valuable customers.
“Thank you” has many translations: in English, “thank you”, “Salamat” in Filipino, “Merci” in France, “Gracias” in Spain, “Grazie’ in Italy, and “terima kasih” in Indonesia, and many other languages. “Thank you” are two very powerful words that can send good message to a person who gives you gift, favor, love, attention, and effort. This magical word can bring a smile on the faces of people and can lift the spirit of those who are gloomy.
Being thankful is being grateful. Cambridge English Dictionary gives a clear and simple definition of the word, “gratitude”, which is “a strong feeling of appreciation to someone or something for what the person has done to help you”. You see, giving thanks is a way to let others feel that they are appreciated even in a small things they do to us. Imagine the feeling when someone utters these words to a good deed you do to them. They respond “welcome” or even a smile or a simple gesture of tapping on the head or shoulder if they don’t respond verbally.
The benefits of saying those words of gratitude can give many tremendous impact to someone. It can give happiness, peace, and people are more likely to give even more if the receiver is thankful. On the part of the giver, he would feel better emotionally, enhance his self-worth, and more motivated to bless more. The result, it can become contagious in a good way, for he becomes a good example to many. Imagine a world full of givers and receivers and vice versa.
The book of Philippians 4:6 of the Bible says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Being thankful should not be done only when you are receiving good gifts, favors, or help. It says in “every situation”. Even if the situation seems appalling, one must practice gratitude. Bad circumstances such as sickness, hunger, struggling relationships, and other disruptive conditions cause us to be dismayed. However, these seemingly evil situations make us a better person, stronger, and help us appreciate that life is so precious, LIFE is a GIFT! And because it is a gift, we should be grateful for it. When going through this, stay calm, pray harder, and be more thankful. There is always a silver lining in every dark clouds, and better days will come after challenging moments of life.
Indeed be a person of gratitude. Start appreciating the food you have though it is so simple, the relationship, the smile of your friends, the tasks entrusted to you, the not-so-well-paid job, the smile or a simple conversation of a stranger, the delayed flights, and most especially the life itself. It is the most precious gift of God!
By: Mrs. Marivic C. Casimero | Teacher I | City of Balanga National High School |
