Mahler’s Monday Morning Motivator # 158 – Two Words

[Mahler]

Mahler’s Monday Morning Motivator # 158 – Two Words


Two Words


Recently my wife and I took a short trip to visit my mother. In the course of that journey, we were reminded of the very important and very necessary use of two words.


We stopped briefly at a rest stop on the turnpike and as we got back into the car my wife commented that she had paused to open the door for a woman who was struggling with a young child. At the same moment a teen walked in front of both of them and through the door. My wife promptly shouted out “you’re welcome” to no effect.


We arrived at our destination and went into the apartment building to visit my mom. On the way in, two ladies were entering with some packages. I paused to hold the door and both walked through and without a word spoken.


To tell the truth, this is not the first time this has happened, and in fact it happens quite often. But, in thinking about it I was reminded of an incident several weeks ago that was the complete opposite. During a snowstorm, we started to have problems with our furnace and the house just wasn’t getting warm. I was at a loss as to what to do until I recalled that one of my neighbors did commercial heating and air conditioning work. I didn’t know him well and was hesitant to call. I phoned and talked to his wife and explained our situation. I realized that he didn’t do residential work but she said she would contact him and let him know as he was still out on a job.


We fired up a couple of kerosene heaters that we keep for emergencies and prepared to wait out the storm. A few hours passed and I went out to get a head start on shoveling the driveway, since the snow by now was getting pretty heavy. As I opened the garage door, to my surprise my neighbor’s truck pulled into my driveway. His wife had reached him and he didn’t even head for home, but came straight to my house after finishing his last service call.


I explained the situation and within a half hour, he had discovered the problem, got the furnace working and said he would order a part and contact me when it came in. As he was packing his tools, I asked what I owed him and thanked him profusely. He turned and said, “nothing.” I looked at him with a puzzled expression on my face and he said, “thank you for all that you do for us.” You see, I am president of our homeowner’s association and he told me how much he and his wife appreciated all the work I put in with the association. Believe me, these are not words I hear often in connection with those duties and his expression of thanks, through his work and his words, meant more to me than I can say.


What amazing power those two words have. What tremendous impact lies behind a simple “thank you.” So often, the things we do, great or small, have become expected and not worthy of recognition. Yet, it is puzzling when the words fail to materialize. Even more puzzling is the fact that some give the impression that to say those words somehow makes them look weak by showing gratitude to another.


True weakness lies in the inability to recognize the support that we all receive from those around us. No person functions in complete isolation from the world. Two words, a simple thank you, can affirm that we are, indeed, a part of something greater and better than what we can ever be by ourselves. And there is strength in those words beyond measure.


Take time to thank someone, today.



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Have a Great Week!

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PS: A big "thank you" to Bob (Old Guy) for compiling the links to the MMMMs and making them a sticky. I am in your debt.

[ODB]

Thank you for doing these John.

[Phaedrus49er]

I vote that Mahler gets his own sub-forum where threads only start with the MMMM, and only then can others post.

Regarding this MMMM, I'm reminded of the changing demographics of the Charlotte area. Not ten years ago, many--if not most--people in the area were from the area. As that dynamic has shifted to primarily transplants (legal and illegal), I hear newcomers comment on the friendliness and politeness of people here, yet newcomers far outnumber natives now. I think I know two people (and I'm not sure about one) who are actually from the area--let alone Charlotte itself--besides me (grew up an hour northwest of here). The social attitudes here may be an improvement for people moving here, yet I get the sense that, as a quasi-native, the social attitude is getting a little less polite. Before, nothing happened without a "thank you," a "you're welcome," and perhaps even a preceding "please." Now, while still a bit unusual, it's not nearly as uncommon for deeds to go unthanked and/or unwelcomed. Is this because of the shift in the local demographic or because of some larger social issue? I don't know. I'm still observing the "what" while secondarily looking at the "why," but whatever the reason, those five (rather than two) words seem to be disappearing from this area at a troubling (to me) rate. I mean, while a "thank you" is the approriate response for receiving some kind of benefit, is a "you're welcome" such a burden on the original giver as well? (Customer service comes to mind--yes, I thank workers for their services to/for me; is SOME response too much to ask?).

[Lost Dog]

Morning, John.

You know what's weird. In S. Cal, people seem to be getting more polite. I get more and more "thank yous" where I missed out before.

I never really noticed this, until just now. Good news from my little corner of the world, I guess.

Later,

Roland

[rgv]

Thank you for doing this every week.

[OldGuy]

Thanks, John. Those are words I always try to use.

[kingkop182]

thank you

[GG300]

Thanks John a very enjoyable read. Like LD said I have noticed recently that the young people I run into seem to be up on their manners much more than their counterparts from ten years ago. Just saying please, thank you or excuse me takes so little effort but can mean so much to someone.

[Big_D]

Thank you Mahler(I don't know your first name, I'm David). All your posts are always cheerful and upbeat. The world needs more people like you .

[Jimbo]

Thank you John

[ParanoidAndroid]

nice. Thanks for this and all the motivators.

[K-Court]

In Canada, we are annoyingly polite.

Thanks, John, for the reminder to live the Golden Rule.

[Victoria]

Thank you, John. What a great reminder of how simple it really is to be kind to others.

[jj]

John, I can not say thank you enough for the effort and time you put into the motivators. Thank You! On a similar note, in Arkansas, things seem to still go with a "Thank You" and a "Your Welcome", but, I have noticed something in the military. Even when I came in the military 7 years ago if you walked by someone and said good morning, whether they out rank you or you were their superior, if you said good morning, or hello, or nice day, it is common courtesy to speak back with the proper reply. I have noticed it is not just the younger crowd either. I have saluted officers and they just waved me off and said carry on, without saluting back. Now, if I am going to have the courtesy to raise my arm to say good morning sir, I expect to get the proper salute back. I don't know if it is because we have been here for so long and so many times that soldiers have been hardened or what the case is. I just hate to see it. It is not just the Army either. I am stationed here with Marines, Air Force and Navy as well and I can safely say all 4 services act the same way. I for one, believe that it is from the easier basic training and AIT procedures they have implemented in all of the services to try and retain and recruit more soldiers. Who knows? I hope that the problem is fixed because I know as a lower enlisted soldier I was always respectful to my command, and now I expect the same.

[laxcdn]

What is/does a homeowners association do?

[gregl515]

Thanks John! My wife and I have said this a lot over the last few months to many kind people.

[UConnJulie]

Thank YOU John ... this was awesome. My husband is a teacher and demands this type of respect in his classroom (where it is grossly absent elsewhere in the school). We are both shocked and outraged in stores when the "service persons" are all but outright rude. We have two young daughters and are constantly reminding them to say "please" and "thank you" and now they do it frequently on their own ... and it warms my heart to see other people smile when my girls exhibit their manners ... something that really should be automatic, but isn't.