Thank you. I appreciate what you've done. Great job. You're so thoughtful. We can never hear these words enough. Our society has lost the fine art of saying "thank you." The spirit of gratitude and appreciation is rare.

Edify one another. Build each other up. Jesus basically taught, "If you love me then you ought to show love for one another." The Golden rule is based on how we treat one another. How do we show love? By appreciating people and letting them know they are important.

How many times in our impersonal world do we personally do something for someone, go out of our way and then don't hear a word. Zilch. Nada. Nothing. Not even an email.

Either people are too busy or too rude. But we should never be too busy to acknowledge the good that someone does. Know that everyone is busy, just as busy as you. Quit telling people how busy you are. Do you want sympathy or sanity? Cut some stuff back or cut some stuff out.

I just don't think any human relationship has ever been damaged by a nice thank-you note. It should be done within 24 hours after you get home from a visit or receive the gift, says an English teacher at Renaissance High in Detroit, Michigan. I think people of good breeding still send thank-you notes. It shows class.

Yep, that's it. Good breeding. Home Training. Jesus taught better; many mama's taught better! Saying thank you and sending thank-you notes, once people get into the habit of doing it, it's not very difficult. Not rocket science.

If we continue to ignore kindness and other people's thoughtfulness, we'll kill the spirit of everyone we truly love and who loves us. Don't think it is a throwback in time to acknowledge and say you appreciate someone. It is a way to build good relationships and keep blessings coming to you. We reap what we sow. Sow love and you get love.

When it comes right down to it, what really matters in the end is how we treat people. Not what you did to accomplish your goals, but how you took the time to help encourage other people on your way. Applaud your family, friends, employees and colleagues.

Take a minute. Write a list. Who do you owe a "thank you/appreciate you" to? People who have given you things or did things for you, sent you a card or just let you know they were thinking of you. Call them today or buy some postcards and mail them. It will be like watering a garden that is being cultivated for nourishment to your own soul. Joy given is joy returned. Have a praise party! Quit hating and start celebrating.

Pamela Perry is the chief visionary of Ministry Marketing Solutions.com, a marketing consulting and public relations agency.

Copyright 2005 by Pamela Perry Used by permission, BlackandChristian.com