So many things in life become common place. Things, phrases, behaviors just become secondary; simply habits that we have taken on a regular basis. Some of them are good habits, things we learned at a young age…please and thank you, I’m sorry and excuse me, I love you and I love you too. And they should be habits…but they also should be true. Not to say we don’t mean them, we truly do mean them…when we actually take a moment to think about it. It is important to remember that words have power, and it is also important to remember that you can take that power away if those same words are used casually, insincerely, or simply thoughtlessly.
When you say excuse me…take that moment to make eye contact, to make a connection, to actually know that the other person realizes that you sincerely did not mean to inconvenience them in any way (and maybe forgo the ‘well, excuuuuuuuuse me’ sarcastic version meant to scold someone who may have forgotten their manners for the moment). When you ask for something or receive a service or kindness are you actually pausing to realize that you are grateful? Do you think about the gifts in your life, to realize that this person (whether it is their job or not) just did you a service…no matter how minor? Gratitude, appreciation, love…these are all verbs…they are more than words, they are actions.
It is easy to fall into a good habit just as easy as it is to fall into a bad one. Just remember that life is happening…everything you do, or don’t do affects and matters to the world around us and the people we care about. Try to be aware of your moment, take an extra second to ground a sentiment into reality, and take the action that animates the language. Say what you mean, mean what you say, and take the time to give meaning, authenticity, and action to your words.