Did you know telling someone “thank you” can not only give the recipient a happiness boost, but it can give you one too?  It is such a small thing and takes so little time, but it can make someone’s day and give them a positive shot in the arm which may be something they really need at any given time.

Recently, I received a thank you note from a former middle school student who later became one of my “new teacher” mentees.  Susie was a typical talkative, hormonal eighth-grade girl when she was my student.  After several years of being a researcher in the science world, Su (no longer Susie) decided she wanted to be a teacher and that is when she became my pupil again. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her and she developed into a wonderful high school science teacher.

Interestingly enough, the thank you letter was not about her time with me in the classroom or as her mentor, but her time with me on the track field.  Susie was not a gifted athlete, but she gave it her all.  She never won or even placed in a race or a field event, but she hung in there and always worked hard. I taught and coached a lot of children through the years, and at times it all runs together. Su’s note to me reminded me of this time as she thanked me for always encouraging and paying attention to her, even though she was not one of the stars of the team. She did improve her running times and her field events throughout the season, because she worked hard.  She told me she often thought about that time as she went through her life and how much it had helped her to keep pushing herself and trying to be always be better. Su thanked me for “being there for her” when she needed it.  I was very touched by her thank you letter to me after 30 + years. It gave me a happiness boost for sure. 

Most of us have so much to be thankful for in our lives. Do we take the time to thank those people who have helped us along the way? I have certainly done a better job of this as I have gotten older, but can always do better.  As we all know, all good gifts we have in our lives come from God.  He is good and He loves us unconditionally. He is there when everyone else fails, when we feel alone, afraid or worried.   We should offer praise and thanksgiving to Him, knowing that He is always there for us.

In scripture, in Psalm 107:1 we read Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to Him today and everyday because of everything He has done in your life. Give God a happiness boost and yourself one too. We can all use a little more happiness. Thanks be to God!

Patty