I have been thinking a bit about the word “thoughtful” this morning. We usually say it as a form of thanks after someone has done something for us or given us a gift. “Oh thank you that was so thoughtful.” It is one of those words that slips by without any real second ... thought.
But what I’ve been thinking about this morning is what a compliment it is to be told you are thoughtful. It is such an affirmation of character, intention, and attention—that your consideration is recognizable in your actions or words. If someone were describing me with a list of adjectives, I would want "thoughtful" to be one of them.
There are many moments in life when the word thoughtful comes to mind. Like when a child presents you with a piece of their artwork, and suddenly that artwork becomes one of your most cherished possessions. Or when someone does something unexpected for you that makes your day go a little smoother. Or when we see someone doing the unthinkable, and actually taking their time to do a task. How often do we just find a quick gift at the store, forget to offer help to those around us, or rush through tasks while thinking far into tomorrow? Too often.
Thoughtfulness, like I mentioned above, is about character, intention, and attention: to be considerate of others, the world, and yourself; to be intentional with your actions or words; and to be attentive and observant in your day to day experiences. Really it's about being able to recognize, listen, and respond.
We all have the capacity for thoughtfulness, and it doesn't need to be in enormous ways—a smile, a pause, or an extra morning cup of coffee for your housemate can go a long way.
Keep peace and keep creating,
Parker <3
