The Internal Call to “Make a Difference” is Driven by the Echo of Gratitude

Thanking of You

How many times this week will you hear the call to “make a difference”?  Now, perhaps more than ever, the concept’s broadcast loud and clear on television, radio, in print and as the underlying tone for positive movements worldwide. 

At the core of the concept stands the fact that the desire to be “making a difference” in the lives of others is a powerful motivator–often much more powerful than money, fame or most any other tangible or intangible incentive.  Just ask any volunteer or nonprofit staff. 

People need to know they’re making a difference in the world around them; they need to understand the value of their strengths, the gifts they’ve given to others without even realizing it and their lasting influences in the lives of others.  When people answer the call to make a difference they’re calling out–albeit often quietly, humbly and sometimes even anonymously–to be known to someone for making a difference.

Naturally, therefore, helping people to discover when, how and to whom they’re making that difference and why it’s mattered has the power to add immeasurable value to their lives in return.

The older, wiser and more experienced we become, the more relevance this fully-fleshed concept has to our individual lives–either as people with the desire to express gratitude for those who’ve made a difference in our lives or as people with the desire to discover how we’ve made that difference.  The fantastic perpetual nature of the virtue of gratitude keeps the two spinning in alignment, as 1: the more we focus on that/whom for which we’re grateful, the stronger and more relevant the contributions of the original goodness grow within our own lives and 2: the genuine, detailed expression of such gratitude often re-fuels the recipients with fresh perspectives for self-discovery and affirmation of “life’s purpose,” inspiring a continuum of that goodness for the benefit of others–and, ironically and paradoxically, for their own benefits as well.

Hence my longtime proposal that “gratitude is the most sustainable and renewable of all human resources.”  Do yourself an organic favor: cultivate it and harvest it often.  Reflect upon the contributions of those for whom you’re grateful and share the bounty of your epiphanies with them, either privately, by phone or note, or publicly, in a forum such as ThankingOfYou.com, where they can receive it even if you don’t have their contact information.  Either way, the point is to thank them by highlighting the details that tell them what they want to know: Have I made a lasting, positive difference to someone, somewhere, at some time; and how?

Two-Minute Power Meeting: Brief visualization and reflection (once daily is better than once ever!) . . .

        Where in your world do you want to “make a difference”?

        Why do you want to “make a difference”?

        How will you begin to make that difference today?

Post your comments here to share your realizations.  Consider reflecting on who’s made a difference in your life, as well.  Share that by posting a story of gratitude to them for all the world to see at ThankingOfYou.com.    (Consider thanking charitable organizations, too.)

Quick updates:   
Cheryl Tan of WAVY 10 News (our local NBC affiliate) aired a great segment about ThankingOfYou.com this month on the Hampton Roads Show!  Here’s the link to the segment online: http://www.wavy.com/dpp/hr_show/wildcard_118/problem-Thanking-of-you

     Thank you to Cathy Lewis and the crew at public radio WHRV’s HearSay for showcasing Shoot for Good and ThankingOfYou.com October 4!  Great experience with one of the best in broadcast radio! 

You’re amazing, now go be yourself,
Nora

Who have you been meaning to thank?  Who on Earth might be Thanking of You?

The “Understated” Sentiment at a Habitat for Humanity Construction Site: Overwhelming Gratitude

 

Thanking of You

HAMPTON ROADS, VA–
     While scores of people tracked mud through her dining room, Kiska Morris of Virginia Beach, Va. looks overwhelmed.

     “I’m just so blessed,” she proclaims.  “I hope this type of thing will keep going on.”

     Morris, 33, had nearly completed 350 volunteer hours building homes for others with Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads, the regional chapter of the volunteer-supported nonprofit which has built more than 350,000 safe, affordable homes for people worldwide.  She’d knocked down walls, erected siding, hammered, cut and trimmed her way to this sunny April Saturday which marked the ceremonial wall raising at the site of a planned four-unit townhouse where hers and three other families would now begin to build their own homes.  The wall, at the north side of her 1,100-square-foot unit, had been framed earlier by community volunteers inlcuding Habitat home owners; Virginia Wesleyan College students; employees of Bank of America, a longtime partner with Habitat for Humanity International and the provider of a $75,000 grant for this project through its Charitable Foundation; and retired military men and women who just can’t seem to resist letting the skills they’ve developed by virtue of hard work and the mentorship of their leaders be of service to others.  Once in place, the wall began to frame a new reality for Morris and her sons, Vidal, 18, and Keenen, 13, who Morris believes will come away from the whole process more “selfless” and motivated–small words for such powerful virtues.

     Hence, the underlying theme of the morning, as it has been at other Habitat construction sites I’ve visited, is gratitude.  Overwhelming, understated gratitude.  For God, for the volunteers, for Habitat staff with whom the beneficiaries report having built life-changing relationships during the course of the typical two-year lead up to building their own homes.  They praise God for “the blessing.”  They praise the volunteers for their time and energy.  They praise other supporters for the money, services and materials they’ve donated or discounted.  They praise the forces of goodness that somehow brought them all together.  Then they praise God again, for the opportunity to continue to work with Habitat even after their homes have been establilshed and settled so that they may be this same kind of blessing and help make a profound, lasting difference in the lives of others.  That concept, by the way, is a perfect example of my longtime proposal that “gratitude is the most sustainable and renewable of all human resources.”

     Why do I describe the expression of gratitude at a Habitat site as “understated”?  Because the verbal statements are brief: 
     “I want to thank God.” 
     “We want to thank every single volunteer, business and organization who helped make this possible for us.”
     “I have to thank Habitat for Humanity for this awesome opportunity to own my own home.”   
     They know that thanking all involved would take more time and space than the media affords.  (You and I know that’s the need that ThankingOfYou.com fills.)

     But attendees can see so much more in their eyes and in their smiles.  We can practically hear the unspoken threads of their personal stories as their arms unfold and open like wings to embrace one another.  And we can feel the depth of their gratitude in their handshakes and hugs.  By the time Habitat for Humanity beneficiaries have reached this point in the process they’ve qualified for the opportunity to build and purchase their home, they’ve completed educational homeownership programs, they’ve volunteered hundreds of hours already and, typically, by virtue of the journey, they’ve cultivated the deepest sense of gratitude, having recognized the goodness perpetuated by Habitat supporters, affirmed the value and relevance of that goodness in their own lives, and chosen to honor that goodness by continuing to act, with their time, energy, love, compassion, hammers and saws, for the benefit of others.  

     I understand: It’s hard to find the words to express that level of gratitude on the spot when asked something as open-ended as, “How do you feel at this moment?”  But I have to ask.    

     Nearby, 17-year-old Tyreek Tinsley digs himself deeper into a hole.  He’s cool with it, and he recommends his friends do the same; youth as young as 16 may volunteer on job sites and younger kids help in other ways.  

     Tyreek’s grandmother, Virgia Green, 58, had applied to be a Habitat homeowner in 2009.  

     “It’s been very interesting,” she says.  “I’ve met a lot of great people and I’ve learned a lot of great skills.”  What’s surprised her most, she adds, “is that I’d be able to do all that I have done, persevere, and get to where I am now.  It’s a lot of work.”  She also believes that modeling these concepts will benefit her children and grandchildren–an opportunity for which, yes, she’s very grateful. 

     Together Green and Tyreek, who resides with her, have painted, measured and cut for trusses, helped install windows and handled power equipment.  “He likes the hands-on work,” Green notes.  “He’s been open to a lot of new things and he’s had a good attitude.”  Unspoken but understood is the value of these character-building ”tools” that he’ll carry with him for a lifetime. 

     This is South Hampton Roads’ first Habitat townhouse, says Helen Sommer, the chapter’s executive director.  The job site draws 20 to 40 volunteers at a time and utilities upgrades will benefit buildings nearby. About half the money has been raised for a planned August completion, Sommer adds; the organization still needed sponsors, volunteers and material donations to finish.   

     What’s unique about the multifamily build, Sommer says, is that “they’re going to be neighbors and they’re already caring for each other.”

     “The most exciting thing about the whole process,” declares soon-to-be homeowner Cherie Wilson, 35, in a combination of voice and American Sign Language, “is that it’s me building my own house . . . and that I can actually provide a stable home for my daughter.”

     What parent can’t relate to the value in that?

     “It’s mind-blowing,” Wilson concludes. 

     See that?  Put briefly and simply, it’s mind-blowing.  Why?  Because of the recognition and affirmation of the extraordinary value of the gift and the overwhelming drive to act in order to perpetuate the goodness.  It’s deep, awe-inspiring gratitude.  And, indeed, it can be “mind-blowing.”  Taking time to express it for all its inherent glory is like installing a little release valve.

You’re amazing; now go be yourself,
Nora

ThankingOfYou.com is the Web-based forum for posting and receiving stories of gratitude (messages of thanks) to recognize, affirm and honor the people who’ve made a difference in our lives.  Who have you been meaning to thank?  Who on Earth might be Thanking of You?  Gratitude affirms life.  Express yours at www.ThankingOfYou.com.

Value of Gifts Grows Exponentially When Affirmed and Honored with Deep Gratitude

Thanking of You

That said, very simply:  Don’t merely count your blessings; count on your blessings.

You’re amazing, now go be yourself,
Nora

Who have you been meaning to thank?  Who on Earth has been Thanking of You?  Gratitude affirms life.  Express yours at ThankingOfYou.com

Gratitude for Customers Leads to Less Worry, More Sales in Business

ThankingOfYou.com

I came across this article by Julie Sue Auslander at FastCompany.com today and immediately surmised that we must have been twins separated at birth.  Or maybe simply two individual girls walking similar paths on the same planet.

Regardless, I wanted to share it with you.  Worth the read for perspective’s sake and great reflection for business owners.  You can also find it under Recommended Articles at www.ThankingOfYou.com.

Enjoy!

http://www.fastcompany.com/1614757/wheres-the-water

You’re amazing,
Nora
www.ThankingOfYou.com

Gratitude, Resourcefulness and Newfound Success

Business owners: Fearful of immobility while navigating the current economic tide?

What do you do well?  Maybe you plan events, cut hair or videotape weddings, but times are changing in your field.  Maybe you build cabinets, but new-home construction has all but ceased in recent months.

Whatever your business, consider, and maybe list, all the positive aspects of your experience to date.  Include your strengths and talents, your assets, your support systems (social and professional networks, etc.) and all the good advice you’ve gleaned along the way.  Recognize and affirm the contributions of others to your past successes.

Gather all that has been positive into a focused funnel of vision, letting everything else fall out of periphery.  Now think, “What do I have to offer and to whom?”  Then get back to work in a new direction, inviting Gratitude and Resourcefulness to ride shotgun.

For instance, if you’re that cabinet maker why not offer do-it-yourself cabinet-making classes in your workshop?  Homeowners aren’t purchasing the cabinets because of restricted budgets.  But the cabinet maker who offers budget-friendly classes addresses and resolves the obstacles which would otherwise block him and his customers from progress and productivity.  The grateful and resourceful cabinet maker accomplishes the following, despite a market downturn:

1.  By providing this discounted service to a group of workshop attendees s/he can recoup revenue lost to the slowdown of the custom cabinet making industry

2.  The cabinet maker establishes rapports with consumers in his/her community, forming a natural basis for future owner/customer relations and word-of-mouth recommendations

3.  Workshoppers are grateful for the opportunity to build their own cabinets under the cabinet maker’s mentorship; they can now afford to remodel what they’d otherwise have to put off indefinitely

4.  Workshoppers who face unemployment find a sense of purpose, save money and learn new skills

5.  The cabinet maker’s workshop stays alive and buzzing, paying for itself, and hosting a happy and enthusiastic group of do-it-yourselfers.  The environment is now one of renewed energy and creativity, not fear and negativity

6.  The cabinet maker gets a glimpse of new talent and workplace personalities–a natural lead to a new hire or two once business picks up again

7.  All involved have the chance to focus on ability and resources in order to build something positive.  This is a natural antidote to the ravaging affects of negative thinking and self-destructive actions

8.  The cabinet maker is now a trend-setter

9.  The cabinet maker feels empowered, earns money and has learned something new

10.  The cabinet maker has inspired others, unleashing the perpetual force of gratitude for all it’s worth and more.

You say you don’t make cabinets?
What DO you do?
What CAN you do?

Nora Firestone

Gratitude affirms life.  Express yours at ThankingOfYou.com