What’s the difference between me and you? Gratitude.

As most of you know, my grandmother was a sweet Jewish woman (as is my mother) who was big on principals and respect. Whenever I would receive anything from anyone as a child, she made me write thank you notes expressing my gratitude regarding the “blessing” I received and how it made an impact in my life. It got to the point where I would loathe receiving anything from anyone because I knew the chore that came after receiving a gift.

How we do anything is how we do everything

In the hood, we showed our appreciation through loyalty. Amongst kids, it wasn’t the "cool" thing to do for one to verbally communicate their appreciation because it (the gesture and the appreciation) was assumed to be understood between both sides. If you were raised in a similar environment, you know what is understood does not need to be explained.

As an apprentice learning business from other businesspersons, I began to notice their approach to communicating with their clients. During the transaction, there were follow-up correspondence(s) to ensure everyone was on the same accord. Once a deal was closed, the client or someone associated with brokering the deal, sent a token of appreciation to the other professional thanking them for their involvement and expertise to ensure the deal went smoothly and all parties were happy.

Anytime I conduct business these days, I make it a point to send a note thanking the person who gave me an opportunity and trusted me enough to serve their needs through my business. It may be a small gesture on my part, but making sure someone knows you appreciate AND NOT expect their business, keeps them aware of how much you value them as a customer. What I learned as a kid came full circle and allows me to remind others how grateful I am to be able to serve them.

Shabbat Shalom

Every Friday a pair of young orthodox-Jewish brothers (Mendell & Shalom) comes to my office to recharge my spiritual battery and provide me with a mitzvah. Since my grandmother was more of a conservative Jew, these brothers come by to remind me what life is really about and give me literature to keep me on the right path (or just preoccupied with my own thoughts so I’m not a weekend-heathen) until I see them again.

Today’s visit highlighted purpose. They told me they see themselves as lamplighters whose purpose is to spread light. I asked them what they would be doing if they were not spreading light. One replied, “If I were hired to do the same job as a gentile, I would do it with the intention of spreading light through my work. That is how devoted I am to spreading light.”

I respected and realized how consistent and committed one should be to living a purpose driven life. Our visit made me realize my grandmother was so committed to proper Jewish etiquette, that she made it her mission to ensure I knew how important it is to display gratitude in every aspect of life. Thank you, Patricia Scott I am eternally grateful.