Sometimes, as a spouse, partner, teammate, or collaborator, the best way to show gratitude for someone’s efforts is to reciprocate with the same energy.
As a new parent, you don’t get as much rest as you once did. You learn on the go and have to divide your energy between your new life and maintaining the life you had before. There are times when the baby is fussy, and my wife is the one who gets up to soothe and put the baby back to sleep. It’s the small things like this that truly matter, especially when I’d rather be sleeping at 3 am.
To show my gratitude as a husband, father, and teammate, I can tell my wife thank you, but I can also be more considerate of her need for rest and offer my help. I can step up and do anything and everything that could make her life a little bit easier.
My mom paid for me to attend a private school from 7th grade to 12th grade. She had to work two jobs, often back to back, to help pay for my tuition. In gratitude, I worked hard and made sure she wouldn’t have to pay a dollar for my college tuition. I earned a full-ride scholarship and even sent money back home using my scholarship checks and financial aid refund.
I know my mom didn’t pay for my education just for a “thank you.” Similarly, my wife doesn’t go above and beyond for our baby expecting only gratitude. It’s about doing what you believe is right and putting everyone in the best position to succeed. It’s also about doing your part, fulfilling your end of the bargain, and expressing gratitude through actions.
Sometimes, despite receiving a “thank you,” it’s easy to feel underappreciated. But as they say, actions speak louder than words.
Ultimately, we are all God’s children, and He does the most for us at all times. He is our rock, our fortress, and our deliverer. We can thank Him for everything He does in our lives by the way we live our lives.
FLY, BLACK BOY 