Thank you -- wonderful words that we all love to hear but forget to say. Do you write thank you notes? I remember when I was a child my Mother always made my brother and I write thank you notes to our friends, family, and each other. I recall thinking that it was a lot of work. What was the point? We already had said thank you in person or on the phone. But Mom insisted it had to be done and we did it. Before long she didn't have to enforce it, we knew what to do. If we were given something, we sent off the thank you notes.

As I got older I started to see it from a different side. A dear elderly Uncle was very generous with us and said it was because we were always so thankful. He appreciated our notes. The more thankful we were the more he felt like giving. We learned a powerful lesson. We learned the power of gratitude! We learned to be thankful. I feel so good when I receive a sincere thank you note that I want to send you back to the sender!

As an adult I still send thank you cards, not only for gifts but also for thoughts, actions, and caring. I am teaching my children that saying thank you is as important as the occasion itself. As they learn to do it, they will probably complain about it, question it, and then realize their lives are actually enriched by gratitude. As they learn to be thankful they will see the wonder in their lives.

Thank you is a key component of business relations as well and can be a wonderful marketing tool. Do you hear people joking about snail mail? I miss "snail mail". One of my favourite things is to receive mail. Just this week I was received 3 thank you cards - 2 business related and one personal. I loved getting something in the mail that was not a bill. I also have a special feeling towards the senders and will remember them when I have a need that their business offers.

Sending a thank you card is a way to help people remember your business.

People really appreciate knowing you are thankful for something they have done. Send thank you cards for referrals, for leads, for a job well done, for a gift given, for help received, for a smile, or for a kind word.

Tips for writing Thank You notes

* Keep them simple and to the point.

* Make sure your message is handwritten.

* Try to send them off within a few weeks of the occasion.

* Individualize each card. Do not send out a generic thank you to everyone.

* Be sincere.

* Do not specifically advertise or promote your business but feel free to include a card if they may not remember you at first.

* If you send the cards often be sure to make each one unique.

And as I write this I realize that I have forgotten to write the most important thank you card of all. Thank you to my Mother for teaching me this special skill. It has brought much joy into my life and the lives of those around me. Thank you for teaching me the power of gratitude and giving me something to share with those around me. Thank You Mom.

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Tracy Lyn Moland, B. Ed. is the author of Mom Management, Managing Mom Before Everybody Else (TGOT, 2003). Tracy Lyn shares her message that we must take care of ourselves so that we can be there for others through her writing and speaking. For more information visit Mom Management;

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