While we’re children, we’re (hopefully) taught to say “please” and “thank you.” We are rarely taught, however; to stop and carefully consider what exactly it is that we’re “please” asking for or how to feel our “thank you” on a level that teaches our hearts and souls that something has just occurred that is, regardless of size, a gift.

Since this stop on the planet we’re making is a relatively brief one, consider saying “thank you” less like an automaton. It may take an extra 3 seconds to realize why you’re saying the words, or 4 seconds for the words to sync with a feeling of gratitude, or even 5 seconds for complete recognition to take you and shake you, but the pause will be worth it.

Feel it, and then say it. It’ll be the real McCoy.