23 – The Power of a “Thank You”

BY STAN KONTOS

I heard a wonderful speech recently about “the meaning of thank you”. The speaker was an Australian pastor and he explained the meaning of “thank you” from the Greek language. What was amazing is I am from Greek decent and didn’t know this so I was excited when I learnt it and being the festive season upon us all, what a great time to reflect and relearn the meaning of being thankful.

In the Greek language, “eucharistos” (spelt efharistos) has 3 implied benefits that arise from it and this explains why the most joyful people are usually the most grateful.

Within the word “eucharistos” is the word “chari” which means to bestow grace upon one. In other words, to have something good happen. However “chari” is something that needs to be noticed. When we notice what is good in any situation (in other words we notice what is of grace in any situation) then we naturally become grateful ie thankful. And when we notice what is good in any situation and gives thanks to it, then this gives us a feeling of joy. And as we know when we are in a state of joy, more good things come to us and we are bestowed with more & more grace. It becomes an amazing positive cycle hence why grateful people seem to get more good in life and ungrateful people seem to always be unhappy.

I encourage us all during this festive season (and beyond) to always look for what is good in any situation and see that with every challenge in life, there is always some good that comes from it. Sometimes it is the creation of a new friendship, sometimes it is being the recipient of an act of kindness, sometimes it is you giving an act of kindness; when you program your mind (your RAS – reticular activating system) to look for the good, you will see more & more good. And when you give thanks for the good that you see, then you will feel amazing…just try it and see!

The power of a thank you is within every human being, amongst all races and all religions and all political affiliations. It has no boundaries however it has the same effect to create a feeling of joy.

I often get to speak to some amazing people (such as the ones I interview on our Breakfast at the Next Level http://www.nextlevelbreakfasts.com.au/) and one thing I have learnt is that they have realised that success comes from being grateful for every good thing in your life. Many of them notice what is good about their wife (or husband), what is good about their children, what is good about their work, what is good about their home, what is good about their friends, and in doing so notice that they attract (or bring) more good into their lives.

If you are desiring more good to come into your life, then it is time to step up and take control of your mind and stop succumbing to negative thoughts. Your mind is either a blessing or a curse (we teach more about this at The Next Level retreat http://www.nextlevelretreat.com.au/) and the more effort you put into using this God given gift that all of us have, the more abundantly you will live your life.

As the great Dr Wayne Dyer (one of the many people I admire and learn from) once said “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change”.

I encourage you to bring the Spirit of Christmas into your home and work by focusing on what is good then being thankful for this good and then wait and you will begin to feel the joy of being thankful.

May I take the opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in 2017.  Remember, every year has challenges – there is no perfect year however there is the power to see what was good each year and all we need to do is reflect and put in a little more effort into the use of our mind.

With best wishes as you lead your life of purpose, passion and always stay at peace.

Stan Kontos