Taking notice and Appreciating the "Supposed to's"

David and I are practicing giving and receiving genuine compliments to each other, our sons, and the people in our lives.

We realized we hadn't been doing that lately.


"Thank you for taking my glass to the sink, Honey." 

"Dinner was great!"

"Your hair is so pretty today, Sweetie."

"I really like your laugh."


Seems like such little things to say doesn't it? But, the little words are the ones that help us take notice of how much we are loved and cared for. It develops an awareness of how much there is to appreciate in the ones who are there for us all the time, everyday.



Thanking our 24-year-old son for taking care of the dishes

Calling our 26-year-old to say, "We're so thankful that you are our son."

Telling our neighbor how we appreciate their conversation.




These are the words that can fuel a persons very being. It seems so silly. When we take the everyday and make it better with these words, we're saying "I noticed" and "you matter to me." Especially, the things we're supposed to do anyway. 

David always tells me, "Thank you for doing the laundry today" and "Thank You for cleaning the house".  It took me a long time to receive it and say, "You're welcome" because I thought I was supposed to do it. 

Only problem, I'm so used to it that when he doesn't say anything, I let him know he forgot to...LOL.

One of my favorite things to do is to tell each neighbor as the leave for work "Good morning! Have a good day at work!" At first, they were so surprised and would just nod in amazement. Now, they thank me and bless me back! 


Finally, a compliment is incomplete until the "Thank You" follows

That's a hard one too.





The thing is, it will feel awkward, but practice makes genuine.


It's fulfilling both ways and sustains us.









Thank You to Emily Freeman of Chatting At the Sky for teaching me 
to unwrap the gifts in my everyday and everyone.


tuesdays unwrapped at cats

This post is linked to Emily's Tuesdays Unwrapped.


5 comments:

emily freeman said...

I love this!! Those small words mean so much, you are right! Thanks for sharing this with us!

Dave @GodsDreamsForMe said...

thanks sweetie as well... i appreciate what you're allowing God to do in you.

Unknown said...

Beautiful, as usual. :) Thank you for being a daily source of love and positivity in my life Jeri!

Unknown said...

@emily - what an example you are. Thanks for stopping by - I'm humbled.

@Honey - thank you. Thanks for cheering me on.

Unknown said...

@Lindsay xoxoxo inifinity! You encourage me to be and do more.