SAYING ‘THANK YOU’ IS NOT ENOUGH. IT’S JUST A BEGINNING!

I am writing this article with the presumption that all of us thank the person who does some favour to us. Indeed, saying ‘thank you’ is a sign of good etiquette and all of us should practice it.

As Alice Walker said: “Thank you is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding”.

But is saying thank you enough? I will use the analogy of the banking transaction to explain my point. Our saying “thank you” is just the beginning of the social transaction of which only one leg has been completed.

Our saying ‘thank you’ does not and cannot close the transaction. The transaction will get completed only when we return the favour/good deed when that person is in need of the same.

Unfortunately, very few people realise this and think that by saying “thank you”, their part is completed and the transaction has come to an end. And, this is the root cause of many relationships getting sour. What is required is reciprocity in social relationships for their sustainability. The same concept applies when God listens to our prayers and helps us in times of distress. It becomes our duty to reciprocate His kindness and help his children when they are in trouble. This will surely make earth a better place to live in! (Inner Voice comprises contributions from our readers. The views expressed are personal)