3 Simple Things to Say Everyday
We say things everyday, all day long. We say them out loud. We say them deep down inside. We speak with our voice and our keyboards and our pens. Words matter.
Don’t assume that people, even the people that know you best, know what you are thinking. Tell them.
While actions speak louder than words in many cases, some things should not go unsaid.
3 simple things to say…
1. thank you. Being thankful goes a long way, but it’s one thing to feel grateful, and another to express gratitude. Saying thank you out loud brings attention to what and who you are thankful for. Saying thank you first, will make you happier with what you have.
2. I’m sorry. We are all human. We are not perfect. We make mistakes, some more hurtful than others. From the tiniest slip to the biggest offense, an apology will start the healing process. An apology does not deserve forgiveness, but opens the door for the opportunity. There will be a time when someone doesn’t know they deserve your apology. You’ll know. Give it to them anyway.
3. I love you. Say I love you when you are feeling romantic. Say it when you are happy. Say it when you are sad and even when you are mad. Three words can fix. Three words can soothe. Three words can connect. Say I love you often. Say it before it’s too late, and sometimes, even before you are ready.
You don’t need an extensive vocabulary to have a meaningful relationship. You don’t need big bank accounts, closets stuffed with the latest fashion or a big plan for the future. Speak from the heart and let people know that you care.
Those three phrases make the world go round. They make relationships work, dry up tears, invite smiles and make hearts swell. Say it, sign it, send it, sing it and put it out there.
What haven’t you said lately?
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19 Responses to “3 Simple Things to Say Everyday”
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Thank you! I needed this reminder.
Though I’m a speaker and writer … sometimes I forget to say and/or write the most important things to the people dearest to me.
Janet, It’s easy to forget to say the important things to people closest to us.
A reminder we could all use… thank you for this post. It will be my intention today to say this words with regularity!
Simple reminders indeed (though we often forget the simple in favor of the complex, which is unfortunate). I rarely appoligize, but when I do it is heartfelt and people know I mean it.
Our words our powerful, even the simplest ones.
Take care,
Joshua Millburn
Especially the simple ones.
A great reminder. However, I think when we over use these words, they start becoming meaningless. I often feel there is greater power in behaviors. I’ve been told “I love you” for years by certain people, but their behaviors say otherwise. I think it would be the most powerful to have both the words and the actions in congruence.
Words can feel empty, but with a heartfelt delivery, even if they seem repetitive, they are important.
It’s a great reminder to do these things with those that are closest to us.
It is sometimes easier or feels appropriate to show compassion to those who are not so close and those that live with us every day get the left overs. I’m working on putting the closest first when it comes to compassion and then let it spill over to those who are peripheral as well.
Thank you so much for posting this. Your words have really inspired me. I love my husband so much and I try to show him through my actions but sometimes it feels so good to hear the words ‘I love you’ spoken out loud and I know he doesn’t hear them nearly enough. He will now.
Thanks again, Courtney!
THANK YOU so much for this wonderful post! I’M SORRY I didn’t make it here to comment sooner! I LOVE YOUr generous and gracious spirit that is
so evident in your posts!
This is such a simple truth, isn’t it? Show that you care, show that you understand, show that you know when you’ve done harm. Give people a glimpse of your honest, authentic self, and both of you will feel better for it. Love it!
Thanks for this great reminder!
Saying these things are hard sometime (especially “I’m sorry!”), but in the end, it’s always worth it, for everyone involved.
Matt
PS: Your list items are all labelled as #1. Not sure if that’s supposed to mean there’s no ordered intended in the list, or maybe a formatting issue!
I try & make sure the last thing I say to my 6yr daughter is ‘I love you’ it has really been brought home how important it is as my ex husband, her dad is prohibited from communicating with her now for some months because of a legal issue. I hate for my last words to be anything other than ‘i love you’
I’ve been contemplating the effects of my words lately and this is a beautiful reminder message for me Courtney.
Thank you for sharing it.
Such a helpful reminder. Your question at the end. “What haven’t you said lately?” Reminds me of something that I have been saying lately that, by not by barely ever saying made my life stressful and spilled over into not caring for myself, my family and others as well. That is the word, no. It hasn’t been easy but I’m finding out how saying it with sincerity and for good reasons, not having to tell others in an apologetic tone why either, has given me the margin to do the things that I needed to do to minimize our possessions/lives to a place where I have so much more peace and less anxiety. Thank you for your blog. Many blessings, Kelly
Another great example of how the simple things can make the most difference. It is so true that intimacy can disappear, go underground, stay on the surface, if it’s not nurtured within ourselves. So, that we can be vulnerable yet connected.
So simple and yet so powerful.These three things work so well for our family : we have three children aged 21, 18 and 12 and they realise how important these words are.
I love hearing this topic. I am super blessed! May others find meaning in having this 3 Simple Truths also. Have a great day to everyone!
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