No resolutions.

A commitment.

To be exact, one commitment for 2016 for my community:  to acknowledge every person for whatever specific contribution he or she makes -- big or small -- to me personally or to the community as a whole. And to do this through a written thank-you note.  Thank you for pruning the bushes.  Thank you for lending your parking place.  Thanks for taking minutes.  Thanks for bringing my mail. Thank you for your sense of humor in stressful times.

Buckets have been written on the subjects of appreciation, gratitude, acknowledgment, etc.  We understand the importance of acknowledging people's contributions. We understand the effect on those we acknowledge and on ourselves when giving the acknowledgement.  

Gobs of research.  Gobs of understanding.  Now, what about ACTION?

This past year, I read A Simple Act of Gratitude by John Kralik.  In December 2007 the holidays weren't so happy.  Kralik was working on his second divorce. His girlfriend had left him. The relationships with his two older children were frayed. He was afraid of losing the relationship with his youngest.  His law firm was hemorrhaging money.  The judgeship he so wanted looked impossible to gain. The recession was gathering steam.  His law firm was inches from combusting.  And just to rub salt in his wounds ... he was 40 lbs overweight.

He took action. He made a commitment to write a thank-you note everyday for 365 days.  Thank you for the cologne.  Thank you for the tie.  Thank you paying back the loan.  Thank you for your business.  Thank you for paying your bill on time - it helps us pay our bills on time.  That you for lunch.  

You already know what happened.  His one remaining client grew into many more clients.  His children started talking with him.  His girlfriend stayed.  His friendships grew. During the recession his law firm started making money.  And sure enough -- he did get that judgeship.  And he still writes thank you notes. Not because of what he got but because what he gave allowed relationships to grow which in turn allowed his life to grow. 

Every day, 365 days a year at 9:30 a.m. I exchange five gratitudes and five acknowledgements with another colleague about work, play, service or anything at all. This is between me and one other person via phone.  It has made a major difference in my life.    So this year, I'm going to, as they say,  "step it up a notch."   This will be between me and one-on-one with a whole community.  We're in a good place here in my community right now.  But I don't think gratitude has to wait for a "down" time to have an effect.  In any event, gratitude is not a strategy.  It's a way of being in the world.  The world I choose to  live in is one of service, acknowledgment, gratitude and ... ubiquitous chocolate.  

We're really not in this alone.  

So what action can I take to strengthen the ties that bind?   What actions will you take in 2016?   Have you tried something like this before?   I invite you to share your thoughts by leaving your comments below.

Ann Zabaldo
Takoma Village Cohousing
Washington, DC