As our days get busier and busier, we sometimes forget to do the things that really matter, like expressing our appreciation to others.
But be forewarned. If expressing appreciation has not been a regular activity of yours, others may be confused, and even upset, by your attempts at demonstrating your gratitude.
A case in point: My trucking buddy Willis, after attending a Driver Appreciation event, left convinced that he had been remiss at showing his wife just how grateful he was to her for putting up with him over the years.
Deciding he would put on an "appreciation event" for his wife, Willis stopped on his way home from trucking and picked up a box of chocolates and a dozen roses. He figured these would really show her how thankful he was.
Wanting to make it a special occasion and surprise his wife, instead of going into the house, Willis, with presents in hand, rang the front doorbell. His wife opened the door, took one look at him and began sobbing.
"What's wrong?" asked a shocked Willis.
Through her tears his wife said: "It's been a horrible day. The television stopped working, the dog chewed up our new sofa, and now, my husband comes home drunk."
To avoid such trouble, think of appreciation as an insurance policy: it has to be renewed on a regular basis.
