Giving A 'Thanks'



Thanksgiving is upon us again bringing with it the season of giving "thanks". One of the things I have taugh to young people through our life skills program called "Boost Kids" is about the importance of giving and saying "thanks". We use a quote in our materials by G.B. Stern to emphasize the importance of giving thanks, "Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone." The emphasis is that we need to express our gratitude and be proactive in giving a "thanks". If we do not tell others we are grateful or are not aware of the things people do for us, then we appear unappreciative and the other person feels unappreciated. The biggest step in increasing our overall level of gratitude is getting outside of our selves. If we take, take, take and ever see that someone is giving to us in time or effort we have failed in being grateful. Put yourself in someone else's shoes and see how it feels when your effort goes unappreciated by others. This is a great way to help you appreciate the things you are given and fortunate to have.

However, appreciating the things you have or the things people do for you is only half the battle. Like G.B. Stern said, "Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone", so make sure to express your gratefulness, even for the smallest gesture. Give the other person a genuine "thanks" with sincerity and enthusiasm. It shows the other person you truly appreciate what they have done for you.

Key Points to Remember:

Increase your awareness of the things other people do for you. Here are a few things to think about:

Parents - Provide a house, food, clothes. Willing to take you places or pick you up. Loan you their car or give you spending money.

Teachers - Dedicated their entire careers to helping you become better students and better people.

Friends - Give you a companion to hang out or talk with. Help each other with homework.

Be sure to express your gratitude every time with sincerity and enthusiasm, even for the smallest gesture. Show people you are grateful for the things they have done for you. It helps the other person feel appreciated and will reflect positively on you.

As seen in the November 2006 issue of Varsity View.
Click Here to view the article on Varsity View

How BoostKids Can Help:
BoostKids is a program that can help increase a child’s confidence by teaching social skills to children and building their character.  BoostKids has been and is currently being taught in schools, non-profit organizations, and after-school programs.  The program is now available as an at-home training program for children and their parents.  The key training tool of the BoostKids program is an interactive CD-ROM that shows kids the right-way and the wrong-way to handle social situations.  They learn from real kid actors in real-life scenerios! 

For more information about what’s included in BoostKids, click here. 

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By Charlie Copp - Executive Director of Boost Kids

About the author: Charlie Copp is the executive director for BOOST KIDS, an interactive CD ROM-based program for kids ages six and up, that teaching children social skills and strong character across the nation. His work with BOOST KIDS confirms what Copp has always believed: that kids and teens are hungry for character-building life skills, and with them gain the confidence needed to succeed in the classroom, on the playing field, in their interpersonal relationships, and on the job.