Gratitude: the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
Showing gratitude is one of the easiest acts of kindness one person can give to another. There are so many powerful, yet sometimes overlooked, jobs. At Blue Mountain College, there are staff members who work long, hard hours of the day without a “thank you” being uttered their way. A simple thank you can go a long way in making people, not only in the work force but also in the community as a whole, feel like they are appreciated. A Humanities and Social Science journal article states, “Recognition and appreciation includes a strong-willed and positive influence on worker performance” (49).
Mary Williams, one of the college’s hard-working janitors, confirmed that information. When people feel appreciated for the work that they do, it may make them feel as if they are making a difference. Their job becomes something that they may even enjoy because it feels nice to be recognized, even if it is something they are required to do anyway.
Williams has been working for Blue Mountain College for a good two years now. She chose Blue Mountain College because of the community and the fact that she lives in this area. Williams says that she feels like she is appreciated daily at Blue Mountain. There are days where she feels even more appreciated because of the students here at the school. “The students in the gym help me with the garbage. They see me trying to get something up and they come see if I need any help.”
Even the smallest acts of kindness show people appreciation in the most sincere ways. When asked how she felt about how some people overlook jobs like hers, Williams looked saddened but bravely stated, “It doesn’t bother me as long as they don’t disrespect me.” Mary Williams is just one of the many janitors whom Blue Mountain employs, fighting daily to keep our campus clean and safe from illness.
Courtney Eaker shows her appreciation by outwardly speaking on how she feels about the janitors here at Blue Mountain College: “Janitors are crucial to any facility. […] If we didn’t have them, the quality and the cleanliness would drop. They are people. We should cherish and appreciate them.” Hopefully, Eaker speaks for the entire campus population by saying her words of thanks.
So think of your campus janitors next time you walk into a clean, fully stocked bathroom, clean classrooms, and grab sanitized door handles. Take time to say thank you or hold the door for them. They are here with us.
Source: IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science Volume 21, Issue 9, Ver. 6 (Sep. 2016) PP 47-55 e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845. www.iosrjournals.org
