About Karen Smith
As I was growing up, I was always taught to say Thank you every time someone did something for me.
Except when it would be something I didn’t like. For example: When in school I would have to write on a blackboard 500 sentences for something I had done wrong. As a learning tool or punishment. I didn’t appreciate that at all.
My mom was such a great teacher for praising others. One tome I went fishing with my brother and I couldn’t catch a fish like he could. I wanted mom to be proud of me too. I seen a fish floating on top of the water and I waited for it to drift closer to me by the wind pushing it. I netted it, and took it home and told mom I finally caught a fish for supper. She picked it up and held it in her hands and smiled at me. Then she said “This is such a nice fish”. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that the fish was dead. She pretended to make it up for supper so I wouldn’t feel bad.
Ever since then, I always tell people that they are doing a good job or say Thank you for something they had done for me. It at least puts a smile on their face and maybe they can feel good about them self, even if it is only for a little while. People like to hear nice words of encouragement.
When I worked at this one machine shop, the employees never heard anything nice. We only heard things like, we need to get these orders out. Hurry up! It would make the employees not like their job too much. We were only given some praise if the company made a nice profit. That would be one time a year.
Now when I go anywhere, I always have something nice to say to people, even if it is only “Have a nice day.” I love to show people I appreciate them. Plus it makes me feel good at the same time.