Monday, December 6, 2010

My "Thankful" Lessons

I know this is about a month premature, but December is a very busy month for us and I wanted to make sure I got this posted! 

I wanted to write a blog about what I learned this year simply by using my status message to recognize someone else for a day.

Lesson #1:  I'M SELFISH

I can't tell you HOW many times I got on Facebook and just wanted to complain!!  I was upset, hurt, sick, whatever..and just wanted everyone to know about it.  I realized I had been using my status message to vent quite a bit.  Remembering my promise to use the status message to uplift others, taught me to be a more positive, encouraging person.

Lesson #2:  BEING THANKFUL IS HARD AND UNEXPRESSED GRATITUDE ISN'T GRATITUDE AT ALL.

Obviously, I didn't make it through my friend list in one year.  Why?  Because it takes effort to express gratitude.  I have spent a lot of my life feeling thankful.  I know I'm thankful for each one of you.  I learned that isn't always easy to express.  It took time to reflect on each relationship.  To meditate on what it was that I liked best about each person.  To pick the words that would be meaningful to another.  Doesn't sound hard.  Try it.  :)  But if I didn't take the time to express that in words, then no one would ever know.  So it didn't matter how much you meant to me until it was expressed.  I learned that I need to take time to make SURE people in my life know they are important to me.  People need to know.  The people in your life need to know.

Lesson #3:  SMALL GESTURES MAKE BIG DIFFERENCES

I have spent my life wanting to do something big.  I just wanted to the opportunity to do something so amazing that would be remembered for all time.  And that something had to be done better than anybody else could do it.  I just wanted to be the BEST at something - anything.  But I'm not that talented.  And I get the feeling God isn't interested in making me a star anytime soon.  But what I learned this year, is that I don't have to do anything big to make a difference.  I don't have to be the best either.  I just have to take the time to pay attention to the small details.

I wasn't sure how people would react to this little undertaking of mine.  It made me nervous.  I was surprised and blessed more than I could imagine.  I watched as by simply saying "thank you" people were brought to tears or expressed gratitude in hearing how they had made a difference in a life.  Some told me it was just what they needed to hear that day.  The ones I didn't get to, surprised me by sending messages to let me know  they were anxious "for their day" or to make sure that I was going to write about them too.  This always made me smile.  People desperately wanting to hear kind words.  I don't think people hear nice things nearly enough.  Individuals don't know if what they do or what they say makes a difference because nobody tells them.  Why do we wait for someone to die to say nice things about them?  Don't wait!!!  The people in your life want to know NOW.  They NEED to hear you tell them they are important to you.  I have been far more blessed than I ever imagined.  I started this so that I could grow as a Christian.  I wanted to be a better person.  I wanted to be less selfish.  People have been so kind this past year through all my posts.  It has been so amazing.

Lesson #4:  GRATITUDE IS CONTAGIOUS

One of my favorite things about publicly posting about how awesome someone was, was that others could add to it.  By posting the status message, it gave others an opportunity to express how they felt about that person too.  How awesome is that?  Others took on the task of going through THEIR friend lists and publicly thanking them as well.  I loved seeing that.  I loved seeing the responses. 

I've learned a lot.  I think I've grown a little.  I still have a long way to go.  I'm not done being thankful yet!  There are many more people to acknowledge.  Many more people who need to know how important they are to me.  I look forward to continuing this journey.  Don't give up on me yet!

Thank you to all who have spurred me on.  I've needed it! 

4 comments:

  1. hehe... and still waiting! Seriously, this was a great idea, and I've enjoyed watching it unfold (even though I know maybe 1% or less of the people). I might steal it from you next year. I need to learn and grow, too! Can't wait to see mine -- in 2012! Love you and hope to see you soon!

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  2. My sweet Charity Sue, haven't you realized yet that your big "something" is being an amazingly sweet, loving person? You are one of those people that others love to be around, because we all know how much you truly care. Your love, your simple kindness, wraps around people like a hug that won't quit. Your posts always bring a smile to my face, because they are so truly "you". Love, Katherine

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  3. I loved watching your posts! You pointed out the things in others that we don't always see in ourselves. So here is my mini version for you. I am thankful for Charity Thomas. She can brighten your day with her wonderful smile. I like that she notices the things in others that we miss in ourselves. I saw her amazing strength as an Army wife when her husband was gone in Germany. Each week she would come to church with her son so they could both learn more about God and grow closer to Him. Each week she shared her life with us! Your something big is your life! We miss you all!! Jenn Price

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  4. Charity,
    I am truly blessed and thankful to have met you! You are so true and honest and kind and sweet and loving and caring and a wonderful person and friend! I love reading your posts, they are soo heartfelt! I been thinking that next year I am going to try to be more positive in everything in my life, and definitely be more positive in my posts cuz i rant a whole lot in my posts, i have not been keeping up on my blog but am definitely think of doing a makeover of that and blogging about the positive stuff and what i am thankful for that day, i am telling you this cuz u inspired me to do it! I love u and miss u more than i can even put into words, have a wonderfully blessed christmas! Jen Smith

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