When the Click Happened: The Ripple of Gratitude

I’ve always had the habit of saying thank you not just to people, but to plants, animals, even objects that supported me in some way.

When I moved in with my in-laws, my mother-in-law would often say, “In our family, we don’t do formalities like thank you.” But I didn’t say it out of formality, it was a genuine act of gratitude.

Over time, I noticed she began doing the same. That small shift travelled to her workplace.

An assistant there, often perceived as rude, started saying thank you more often. Slowly, colleagues began to respond differently. They realised it wasn’t rudeness, but his tone or limited vocabulary. That simple shift in language softened perceptions and saved his job.

This is the ripple effect. Sometimes called mirror neurons. Or simply, “monkey see, monkey do.”

We don’t always have to instruct people. Sometimes, our consistent actions can inspire quiet change.

What’s one small habit you practice that might be creating a ripple effect around you?