Comments on: Say, “You’re Welcome!” And mean it… http://weavingthedream.com/blog/2007/say-youre-welcome-and-mean-it/ Weaving Experiences of Transformation Fri, 10 Sep 2010 19:45:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Paula http://weavingthedream.com/blog/2007/say-youre-welcome-and-mean-it/#comment-3726 Thu, 22 Nov 2007 22:25:02 +0000 http://weavingthedream.com/blog/2007/say-youre-welcome-and-mean-it/#comment-3726 We're all guilty of it, Liz. It has become an unconscious response for most of us. And with Christmas coming up we all will have lots of opportunity to practice our thank yous and you're welcomes! We’re all guilty of it, Liz. It has become an unconscious response for most of us. And with Christmas coming up we all will have lots of opportunity to practice our thank yous and you’re welcomes!

]]> by: Liz http://weavingthedream.com/blog/2007/say-youre-welcome-and-mean-it/#comment-3715 Thu, 22 Nov 2007 03:01:21 +0000 http://weavingthedream.com/blog/2007/say-youre-welcome-and-mean-it/#comment-3715 Yikes! I'm guilty of using both the 'it's nothing' and the 'no problem.' Thanks for showing me how ungrateful and demeaning it is to myself and the recipient when I say that. Always something new to learn, huh? Yikes! I’m guilty of using both the ‘it’s nothing’ and the ‘no problem.’ Thanks for showing me how ungrateful and demeaning it is to myself and the recipient when I say that.

Always something new to learn, huh?

]]> by: Paula http://weavingthedream.com/blog/2007/say-youre-welcome-and-mean-it/#comment-3709 Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:08:39 +0000 http://weavingthedream.com/blog/2007/say-youre-welcome-and-mean-it/#comment-3709 Yes, Zita, that "no problem" response to gratitude can be just as disconcerting and discounting as the "it's nothing". I love the idea of the energy exchange of actor and audience known as infinity. Isn't that is what all creative actions involve--the gifting of insight, perspective, and beauty, and the grateful receiving of it as the gift it is whether in the form of applause, purchase, participation, or personal acknowledgement. There is nothing I love more than to have someone tell me thank you for the insight or life change that my book has prompted for them. And I try to be mindful of saying heartfully, "You're welcome." Just to keep that "infinity" going. Gives a whole new meaning to that well-known quote, "To Infinity and beyond!" Yes, Zita, that “no problem” response to gratitude can be just as disconcerting and discounting as the “it’s nothing”.

I love the idea of the energy exchange of actor and audience known as infinity. Isn’t that is what all creative actions involve–the gifting of insight, perspective, and beauty, and the grateful receiving of it as the gift it is whether in the form of applause, purchase, participation, or personal acknowledgement. There is nothing I love more than to have someone tell me thank you for the insight or life change that my book has prompted for them. And I try to be mindful of saying heartfully, “You’re welcome.” Just to keep that “infinity” going.

Gives a whole new meaning to that well-known quote, “To Infinity and beyond!”

]]> by: Zita Christian http://weavingthedream.com/blog/2007/say-youre-welcome-and-mean-it/#comment-3706 Wed, 21 Nov 2007 23:14:31 +0000 http://weavingthedream.com/blog/2007/say-youre-welcome-and-mean-it/#comment-3706 Thanks, Paula. I feel the same. For me, what's worse is the thank-you response of "No problem." I find it unsettling and sad. What does "No problem" mean? That if it (the action, the words, the time, the gift) WERE difficult, costly, or time-consuming, the giver wouldn't have taken that action, spent that time, said those words, or given that gift? "No problem" negates the value. Here's another perspective on the flow between thank you and you're welcome. Just this week, I gave a workshop to 250 high school sophomores on the themes explored in the musical "Wicked." We also talked about the tangible and intangible requirements to make such a huge show work, from green spot lights to the energy exchange called "infinity" that moves back and forth, like a figure eight, between actor and audience. The actor gives her talent; the audience gives its appreciation. Directors have been known to tell an actor, "You aren't giving enough infinity" - meaning the actor isn't giving himself wholeheartedly to the audience. The audience can feel the reserve and responds in kind. But when the infinity is really flowing, you've got a hit. Zita Thanks, Paula. I feel the same. For me, what’s worse is the thank-you response of “No problem.” I find it unsettling and sad. What does “No problem” mean? That if it (the action, the words, the time, the gift) WERE difficult, costly, or time-consuming, the giver wouldn’t have taken that action, spent that time, said those words, or given that gift? “No problem” negates the value.

Here’s another perspective on the flow between thank you and you’re welcome.

Just this week, I gave a workshop to 250 high school sophomores on the themes explored in the musical “Wicked.” We also talked about the tangible and intangible requirements to make such a huge show work, from green spot lights to the energy exchange called “infinity” that moves back and forth, like a figure eight, between actor and audience. The actor gives her talent; the audience gives its appreciation.

Directors have been known to tell an actor, “You aren’t giving enough infinity” - meaning the actor isn’t giving himself wholeheartedly to the audience. The audience can feel the reserve and responds in kind. But when the infinity is really flowing, you’ve got a hit.

Zita

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