Nothing More Than a Thank-You

I consider myself a nice guy. I compliment people whenever I get the chance, and I'll do something nice for somebody without expecting anything more than a thank-you.

But I haven't gotten to the ultimate Zen thing yet, where not hearing that thank-you doesn't get to me. When it doesn't come, I don't really know how to respond.

Like the other day, I complimented a guy on his jacket in the elevator. He didn't even look in my direction, just walked out. I didn't know how to respond to that, or how to take it. The thought I had afterwards was that I keep expecting. A thank-you is still expecting something.

I also wrote a small note in my actual notebook and emailed it to someone I respect in this field. I haven't heard back from them, and obviously that left me feeling let down. It's not the ultimate downer, but still, I was hoping I would get... I wasn't hoping for anything personal. Again, just a thank-you.

Not getting one is something I have to accept as a possibility and be prepared for.

I don't know if I'll ever reach that Zen state, but here's to learning more about oneself.