I love it when little children say “Thank You” at every opportunity. Recently, I witnessed a little girl, probably about five years old, sweetly thanking the bus driver before she and her mother got off. It was a simple gesture, but it left the bus driver smiling from ear to ear.
Those two precious words might not mean anything to many people, but when a tiny creature like that girl expresses it, the demonstrated good manners make her parents, or the people who are responsible in raising her, accountable.
My morning commute is typically shared with middle school children during the school year. I can count with my fingers the number of the young ones who bother to thank the bus driver. They are too occupied focusing on their text messages, cell phones or iPods… or too busy chatting with their fellow students to pause for a moment to acknowledge the person who brought them to school on time, safe and in one piece. Of course, it’s very disappointing to see it happen. Those young people are headed to school where they are supposed to learn the fundamentals that will prepare them for life’s challenges. The basic quality of thankfulness, obviously, isn’t a virtue that they have been trained to grasp and absorb. Or even if the teachers pounded it into their heads, they just didn't give it the importance it deserves. It is quite sad because at their age, they should have already imbibed the essential qualities that make human beings respectful and endearing.
As for that polite little girl, she might be too young to realize the shining impression she left with the folks who witnessed her thoughtful behavior. She may not yet fully understand the two precious words she said to the driver, but the credit for her courteous behavior goes to the people who raised her to become a grateful soul. Thankfulness to people who do us a favor or who help us get to our destination (be it a physical location or a point in our lives) is a shout-out to the Universe of our appreciation for graces received and gratitude to people who have shown us kindness. In return, the Universe will be prone to shower us with abundant karmic blessings.
Here's what I believe: If every individual in the world learns to say “Thank You,” and sincerely means it, the Universe will make sure that we all benefit from the power of gratitude. When that happens, our world will, hopefully, enjoy an abundance of graces, giving us a break from all the negative and energy-draining events that keep happening in our midst on a regular basis. A good practice is to say “Thank You, God” first thing when we open our eyes in the morning and the last thing we say before going to Slumberland at night. It is a small, effortless act to do, but if the gazillions of people who inhabit the Earth make it their daily ritual, practicing it almost like a religion, imagine the all-round goodness it will sow and nurture. Can you imagine how a multitude of Thank You's will raise our planet's positive energy and uplift our world? For those who don’t believe in a Supreme Being, simply say, “Thank You,” and the Universe will be grateful.
Meister Eckhart couldn’t have said it more profoundly: "If the only Prayer you ever say in your entire life is Thank You, it will be enough." Two simple words, but its meaning has a value that is infinite.
A million thanks, Meister Eckhart!
A million thanks, Meister Eckhart!
