The Power of 'Thank You'

--by monkeyinpajamas, posted Mar 4, 2010

I am moving out of my university and city, which has led me to look over the last few years, wrapping up my stuff and thanking people.

One such is Mr. Rob Holland. He is the graduate housing coordinator.

At any time of the week, day or night, you can expect an email from him saying that an apartment has become vacant, typically at least twice or thrice a week. I needed him to remove my name from the mailing list, but I thought it could become a fun kindness exercise.

I sent him a little note, thanking him for such an efficient way of keeping us updated. I looked at his blog profile out of curiosity and got my hunch confirmed that he was just like any of us. He loved his dog, wife, etc and likes to paint, sing, and so on.

So, I decided to spice up my business-like, one-line email with some kindness by adding the following: "in a strange way, opening my university mail always sends off an alarm button in my head, thinking, it must be another professor terrifying me with exams/grades or my boss dmanding some work to be completed! In the middle of all this, finding that it is Rob Holland telling me about graduate apartments falling vacant is a wonderful comfort :-) "

Instead of sending it just to him, I had apparently included the entire listserv on this.

I just received mail from him thanking me and saying that my message had generated a *huge* response with similar sentiments thanking him from many students.

Who thought that this little line of appreciation would become an avalanche of kind thank-you mail for Rob Holland.

The world is a wonderful place!

1777 Reads

Posted by monkeyinpajamas
Mar 4, 2010
Comments (12)

Readers Comments

Imperky wrote: I like that you referred to this as a kindness exercise. We'd all do well to remember to exercise our kindess muscle to make life a lot more pleasant.

Madhuri wrote: Thankyou is a small word but has voluminous depths in it which creates a ripple effect in spreading happiness and gratitude. :)

irishgirl wrote: How cool! Those are the people who probably get overlooked a lot, great way to show that someone noticed him and to thank him for just doing his job. I've come to notice how important it is to let others know that they are doing a good job in their work cause let's face it, it is the source of the most stress and angst in one's life.

Jacinda wrote: Guin, thank you so much for sharing! What a lovely idea :) One small kind act can turn into a snowball effect! Wish you well as you venture on your journey from your university and city. Yes indeed this world is a wonderful place!! Love and Smiles, Jacinda

Aurelia wrote: What a Perfect Accident~it worked out like magic...kind of inspiring others to say thank you also. :)
Thanks for sharing and for always being so kind to everyone.
You are my First Helpothers Friend and i will always remember you guin.
Smiles are Contagious ~ Good Luck!
~Aurelia

wayfarer wrote: ... and that's how kindness creates more kindness. Beautiful, Guin, just beautiful!

Bluebell wrote: I was pleased to know that sending that email "by mistake" to "the entire list serv" was a blessing. Good luck with your moving. Keep in touch. Love and Light, Bluebell

unknown wrote: Sounds really like a beautiful mexican wave evoked by you :) I like this post ...
lovingly, deepula.

crodog wrote: who knows......this guy probably never gets anything nice said about what he does....only receives requests and complaints. But sometimes putting the thought out there, inspires others to take the plunge too. Thanks for sharing.

FairyBubbles wrote: That is such an inspiring story - it was a fantastic idea.

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