81 Marbles
When someone says, “Thank you” to me, my automatic response is, “No problem.” I started saying this phrase as a laid back way to let others know that I was happy to do whatever it was that I was doing, that it was “no skin off my back,” that I didn’t want them to feel obliged to me for what I had done. The funny thing is, now I am becoming aware that, whereas my intentions were good, my response ignores the appreciation that is being expressed by the thank you. It doesn’t receive the gratitude, in fact if gratitude were a tennis ball, it returns it right into the net.
I’ve been trying to work on saying, “You’re welcome” when someone expresses gratitude to me. When I do this, I feel that I’m more respectful of the exchange that has happened between me and the other person. Whereas this doesn’t appear to be a big shift, it is a way to honor the endless flow of giving and receiving that happens between us.
Despite my new awareness, the “no problem” habit has been difficult to break. It has become such an automated response, but when I am able to catch myself and give a sincere “you’re welcome,” I feel myself receive the gratitude that was directed my way.
How do you receive someone’s gratitude? Are you more comfortable expressing gratitude or receiving gratitude?
When someone says, “Thank you” to me, my automatic response is, “No problem.” I started saying this phrase as a laid back way to let others know that I was happy to do whatever it was that I was doing, that it was “no skin off my back,” that I didn’t want them to feel obliged to me for what I had done. The funny thing is, now I am becoming aware that, whereas my intentions were good, my response ignores the appreciation that is being expressed by the thank you. It doesn’t receive the gratitude, in fact if gratitude were a tennis ball, it returns it right into the net.
I’ve been trying to work on saying, “You’re welcome” when someone expresses gratitude to me. When I do this, I feel that I’m more respectful of the exchange that has happened between me and the other person. Whereas this doesn’t appear to be a big shift, it is a way to honor the endless flow of giving and receiving that happens between us.
Despite my new awareness, the “no problem” habit has been difficult to break. It has become such an automated response, but when I am able to catch myself and give a sincere “you’re welcome,” I feel myself receive the gratitude that was directed my way.
How do you receive someone’s gratitude? Are you more comfortable expressing gratitude or receiving gratitude?
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