game face say thanks

We love receiving gifts. But receiving a gift when it's not a) a birthday, or b) Christmas, it kinda stresses me a bit. 

Here's why: when it's near Xmas, or near my birthday, I've prepped myself to express appreciation. My 'thank you' face is primed. I'm prepped to sufficiently display my gratitude.

Subtelty ... it's an art form

But showing thanks when it's neither my birthday, nor a holiday?? ... well, my spontaneous gratitude face seems less than stellar.

Smooth

The raised inflection at the end really brings it home

Note: Air quotes do not add authenticity

Words from Psalm 100 make me feel like I need to perpetually wear that calcified 'thank you' grin. 

Wow. 

Do I ever feel THIS exuberant? Not that often. Not unless I've consumed too much caffeine.

After all, isn't there SO MUCH to be thankful for (short list to follow)?? Education. Food. Faith. Clothing that fits. Good smells. Dental floss. Fantasy football. The grace of God. 2-ply toilet paper. Trees. Music. Deodorant. Sleep. Decent water pressure in the shower. Elevators. Modern dentistry. Anesthesia. Chocolate. People that look out for us. 

The list goes on. 

When I ponder this, I feel some conviction because my 'thank you' face isn't eternally lit. And if I'm not making a 'joyful noise' (whatever that means) like Psalm 100 says, then I must be some ungrateful jerk.

But then, a friend graciously told me of other ways we also show thanks, to God and to one another:

a) the exhausted, quieter thanks when you finish a long exam, and you're ready for a nap ... "thank goodness that's finished" 

c) the muffled sound of thanks with a delicious home-cooked meal [no words because you're eating, and joyful thanks is the sound of you eating]

d) the exhale of thanks when you receive a text that dissolves your anxiety "thank you for messaging me - didn't know how much I needed to hear this today"

e) the muted, finally-get-to-unwind thanks when you get home from a long trip "it's so good to be home, and in my own space again"

f) the  thanks when you clamber into bed after an exhausting day -- and bonus, the bedding is newly washed [no game face or words, just zzzzzzzzzzz]

These are not exuberant, energetic, effervescent expressions of gratitude. But they are no less genuine.

What are you thankful for? There's probably a decent list. Should you, today, verbally express thanks to someone/someones for where you are, and who you are? It wouldn't hurt.

Yet, we can express gratitude in so many modes. Showing thanks isn't something only done with shouted words, and a rehearsed expression. It can be a whisper. A hug. A written note. A job well done. A resolve. A gesture of respect. A text. A fist bump. Holding someone's hand. A wink of the eye. A tired head nod, and a bit of a smile.

So, please ... ditch that feeling like you gotta plaster a lukewarm 'game face say thanks' across your face.

Give the thanks -- genuinely and in one of the many, many ways to communicate it -- and get on with the day. It's a better day when you do it like that.