 by Megan Elbert
I have been trying for several hours to come up with some profound statement of how I have experienced the “spirit of the Memorial Union.” I’ve tried writing about “believing in yourself” and “learning to live life to the fullest.” But, the one thing I keep coming back to is so simple it must be profound. The most important thing I have taken away from “the spirit of the Memorial Union” is to say thank you.
For the last year and a half I have worked as an office assistant in the Memorial Union Programs Office. During that time I have worked under Linda Howard’s supervision. Each day when I leave work Linda says, “thank you.” For the first few months I didn’t get it. All I did was my job. They paid me for doing the things they asked. Why did I need a thank you? Sometimes the only thing I did was answer the phone and say good morning. There was nothing strenuous in that, no need for thanks. But, after being in the MU long enough, after finally realizing the spirit of the MU, I understood. Everyone deserves a thank you. Every person makes a contribution to the environment around him or her and if that contribution is in anyway positive, it deserves a sign of appreciation. And, whether that appreciation is shown through a handwritten note or saying a simple thank you, it’s all the same. |
