Why Thank You Notes Are SO Important

How important is it to acknowledge someone when they've given you a gift or gone out of their way to do something nice?

(Answer: Very.)

Yet, I am finding it more and more rare these days.

(And if you are reading this thinking, "Well, Farm Girl, you never sent me a thank you for X, Y, or Z." All I can say is, "EEK! I'm so sorry!" I really do try and show the gratitude that's in my heart as often as possible.)

Here's why I've made thank-you's a top priority:

1. On a completely practical level, it shows the giver that you did receive their gift, which is always nice.
2. Every time you say "thank you" or write a note of appreciation, you are developing that heart to be more joyful and content. Gratefulness and discontent do not inhabit--can not inhabit--the same space. Put another way, if you ever wake up grouchy, before you do anything else to spread that "grouch," write a thank you to someone you love. I guarantee you will feel better.
3. It shows the giver that as they thought of you, you are also thinking of them.
4. You are putting another human before your own needs, demonstrating a sacrifice of time and energy.

I imagine most people do WANT to write thank-you's, but they find it challenging to gather the cards, the addresses, the stamps, the time, and so on.

This is all true. I give you permission to find this task hard.

But doing hard things is what grow us into better humans and incorporating thank-you's is well worth the "hardness." 

Let's do this. (One thank you at a time, friend.)