It doesn't matter what one's occupation is, whether it's a fast food worker, administrative assistant, construction boss, CEO, caregiver, retiree, or what have you, there are going to be days when nothing goes right, no matter how hard you try.
There will also be the days that generally go okay but where you still get unconstructive feedback from a co-worker, or a customer, a friend, a family member, a neighbor, or a social media user that will have you focusing more on the negative that was said than the overwhelming amount of positive feedback you received.
We've all been there, right? You can get praise and kudos from 99 percent of the people you interact with, but it's the one percent you don't that will sometimes put you in a mood.
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Fortunately, not all heroes wear capes. In fact, some come in the form of people - some close to you and some not - who send you a note or message of appreciation that is completely unexpected but wholly welcomed.
Exhibit A is this one from a flight attendant, shared by former sportscaster turned political podcaster Michele Tafoya on more than one occasion on her X page:
"If there’s anything we can do to make your flight more comfortable, please let one of us know!
On a personal note, I want to thank you for the work you do. I always enjoyed your work with the NFL, but listening to your podcast is wonderful too. Your voice of reason brings me a little hope in what seems like a dark world. Again, thank you!”
Thank you to the flight attendant who handed this to me in flight. pic.twitter.com/kMf2YbHGFw
— Michele Tafoya (@Michele_Tafoya) July 8, 2025
What a confidence booster!
One thing I've enjoyed doing over the years is randomly sending out greeting cards (sometimes the digital ones, and sometimes the old-school paper cards you get at the drug store) to family members and friends on days other than special occasions, just to say hello and to let them know I'm thinking about them and appreciate them.
While I sometimes get a simple "thank you" in return, which is fine, there have been other times when the person texted me or called me and said they really needed to read the note I sent them with the card, that it put a smile on their face amid an otherwise challenging day.
"It's nice to be thought of," some have remarked. It sure is, isn't it?
I've been on the receiving end of nice cards (with flowers included a time or two!) or handwritten notes as well, and have saved many of them in a special place for days when I could really use the mental health boost.
There are also the times where I write a piece and check the comments (or email) later, and see things that floor me (in a good way), that let me know people can relate, and that what I wrote was a message that they felt needed to be heard. I cannot put exactly into words how good that makes a writer (especially those of us with fragile egos - heh) feel. :-)
There are just some of the types of messages (and ways of sending them) that get people through the day that, for lack of a better way to put it, can go a long way to restoring their faith in humanity when they are having a trying day and feeling like there's not a whole lot left in the world.
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Are you someone who does this and/or appreciates it when you're on the receiving end of such messages? Please let me know in the comments.
