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The Power of Please and Thank You

    How Small Words Make a Big  Difference

 

 

 

Hello my friend,

Is it just me, or does it feel like the world has become a little… ruder and less grateful? My husband and I went to our local box store a couple of weeks ago to pick up a few things, and in a short time, three different people nearly ran into my cart. Even though I was in the right of way, I apologized and offered a smile—only to be met with a stern look or a roll of the eyes. I understand that no one really wants to spend their Saturday’s shopping, and we all have things we’d rather be doing but that doesn’t excuse rudeness.

Then, just this week, we went to get our glasses adjusted. This place uses a numbering system, where you wait until your number is called. My husband’s number was called first, and shortly afterward, mine was. I went up to explain the issue with my glasses, and out of the blue, the employee snapped, “Do you have a number? We only help people with numbers.”

Normally, I would have shown my number first, but my glasses were hurting that day, so I began to explain immediately. Still, that didn’t give them the right to be rude. I calmly showed my number and told the person politely that I might need it again, and the employee apologized for their behavior.

While my glasses were being tended to, I gently shared that the employee may be very busy, and that it can be stressful—but kindness is a gift we give both to others and to ourselves. A small act, like checking if someone has a number or guiding them through the process, can make a huge difference. Showing kindness not only helps others but also grounds us. When we treat someone with patience and respect, it lifts our own spirits as well as theirs.

Take, for example, a young mother holding her toddler in one hand and pushing a stroller with the other, trying to open a door to a store. Would you ignore her, or take a moment to hold the door? If you chose to help and were met with a stern look or an eye roll, how would that make you feel?

Now, imagine if you were on the other side—acting brusque or impatient toward someone who was simply trying to help. How would you feel realizing that your rudeness may discourage them from helping others in the future? One small moment of unkindness can ripple outward, affecting more than just the immediate encounter.

Experiences like these remind me that the way we choose to respond matters. When we pause to show patience, kindness, or even just a smile, we’re making a small but powerful statement: we are creating the world we want to live in, rather than simply reacting to the one around us. Being mindful of our own actions—and practicing gratitude for the small kindnesses we receive—helps us shift from feeling frustrated to feeling empowered.

A simple act—a held door, a polite thank you, a genuine smile—can ripple outward in ways we may never fully see. And when we intentionally look for opportunities to be helpful, we begin to notice all the little moments of grace in our own lives. Gratitude and kindness feed one another: when we show compassion, we feel more connected, calmer, and more grateful for the world around us. Even small gestures toward others, like listening patiently or offering assistance, help ground us physically and emotionally.

The world isn’t perfect, and we can’t control everyone else’s behavior—but we can control how we respond. By living with gratitude and showing kindness, we quietly influence the spaces we move through. Each small gesture creates the world we want to live in, instead of settling for the world we “have to live in.” And isn’t that a comforting thought? Even in moments of rudeness or impatience, we hold the power to sow gentleness, understanding, and joy.

So today, my friend, I invite you to notice the small moments where you can offer kindness. Hold the door, offer a smile, or take a breath before reacting. These tiny ripples may seem small, but together, they have the power to change the way we experience the world—and the way the world experiences us.

What is one small act of kindness or gratitude you can show today that might ripple farther than you think?