Who needs to hear good words from you?

Speak your gratitude

I recently attended a funeral for a man who had touched so many lives. Story after story painted a picture of kindness, generosity, and quiet strength. It was beautiful. And as I listened, I couldn’t help but think about how powerful it would have been for him to hear those words while he was still alive.

We’re often so quick to move on to the next task, the next meeting, the next goal, that we forget to say the simple things that matter most. “You made a difference.” “I appreciate you.” “Your leadership helped me grow.” “You’re a good friend.”

We save our best words for eulogies when we could be offering them as encouragements. Imagine what might shift if we practiced speaking our gratitude now; if our teams knew exactly how valued they are, if our colleagues heard how their strengths show up, if our friends were reminded of the light they bring.

Maybe it’s a handwritten note, a quick text, a shared coffee, or a phone call. However you choose, take a moment this week to tell someone the good you see in them. Don’t wait for a eulogy to let them know they mattered.

My wish for you is the courage to speak your gratitude now—because those words will bless others, and they’ll bless you too.

What hasn’t happened this year that needs to? Would getting clarity help?