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As Thanksgiving approaches, it is a natural time to reflect on what we’re thankful for, but it is also a time to reflect on selflessness by acknowledging and appreciating the gratitude of others. 

In the age of technology, we have been trained to have a "go-go-go," mentality. We expect immediacy, quality and valuable service. The Internet has equipped us with the ability to find what we want, when we need it. But in the shadow of these demands lies the value of appreciation, and more importantly, the lack of sharing that appreciation.

A simple "thank you," can certainly go a long way—but what about the long lost art of graciousness? The ability to show appreciation and thankfulness to another person does not always come easily. We often like to think that we can do things ourselves, and asking for help has certainly seen its days as a form of weakness.

Think about when you were in grade school and your teacher would explain the lesson and write notes on the board. While you may have had a general understanding what he or she was teaching, it’s only natural that you would find yourself with questions, and a yearning to have a deeper understanding to make sense of this new material. But did you ever find yourself limiting those questions? Perhaps it was out of fear that the answer was blatantly obvious, and you didn’t want to appear thoughtless or careless for not understanding. But at some point I had a realization, and you probably have too, that everyone needs some help and guidance from time to time—and the ability to recognize that comes from a place of strength and knowledgeable desire, not weakness.

English philosopher, Alfred North Whitehead once said that, “No one who achieves success does so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.”

So, back to present day, out of the classroom and likely in more of a business setting. When you find yourself at a point of frustration or needing help, you likely turn to a colleague or advisor that you trust to provide you with the guidance or information you are in need of. This is something that happens on a daily basis at DevDigital, and I have a feeling we’re not the only ones! Everyone on our team has their strengths—whether it’s in helping with process flow, generating new ideas, or creative thinking. And every single day, we’re bouncing ideas and questions off of one another to improve our own work, and to improve the satisfaction of our clients.

While we certainly appreciate one another's help, it never hurts to be more mindful of another’s time and talents—and that’s where gratitude comes in. Whether it’s a co-worker, a family member, a customer service representative, or a barista—think about your life on a daily basis, and the things that the people around you do that make life that much easier.

Not just in the spirit of Thanksgiving, but also in the spirit of kindness and appreciation, try taking the time to genuinely expressing your gratitude to those around you. I think you’ll be surprised with the results.