I never thought of a thank you note being a lost art until out with friends last evening when something sparked this conversation.
Turns out the thank you note has grown antiquated, becoming a collectible today.
Not because that’s the way it should be, but that’s what has become.
When did we become so lazy as a society? When did we start to lose the rules of behavior known as etiquette, and forget our manners that come from the heart? Or simply not care?
A thank you note. A simple gesture, a huge impact.
For anyone interviewing for a job, a college acceptance or simply engaging in life – a thank you note can mean so much.
It can promote you to the top of the candidate pool. It will certainly make you stand out from the crowd.
And it’s a timeless act that should never go away or be disregarded.
Just because.
How refreshing to be with friends who shared this sentiment. But how do we instill the value of its importance to the younger generation?
More importantly, why do we let them get away with it – that’s the real question?
Don’t give up on the young ones. Don’t let them dictate what today is. I truly believe that’s much of the problem.
We cut a little too much slack. We let them get away with a lot. And instead of laying down the rule of law, we cave – and let the kids of today remove our own sense of right, wrong, and everything in between.
We want to be the cool adult, the one who gets it. We want to be their friend. We want to be liked. Or, we don’t want to be bothered.
Frankly, I believe this is when the thank you notes stopped.
Children, teenagers and young adults aren’t supposed to shape us – we are supposed to shape them. Of course we consider and compromise, but we don’t let the inmates run the asylum.
Today, I am so grateful my parents were tough. Lenient in some ways, prison wardens in others. I was rebellious, difficult, and pushed every limit. But not once did they let me get away with it. Even when I thought I’d had. Ha – never.
Right down to the thank you note.
Every adult in this world today has the ability to make a difference, to encourage and promote timeless values. Stand your ground. Lay down the law.
Maybe, just maybe, we can bring back what was once was expected. What fueled self-respect and self-esteem.
The thank you – instead of singing ‘put a ring on it’, maybe we should be singing ‘put a stamp on it’.
An email is acceptable, but an actual note penned and stamped means so much more.
I love sending them. I love getting them.
Take a moment and reflect – when was the last time you sent a thank you?
Send one today. The art is not lost – as long as we keep it alive.
