While picking up trash in our neighborhood this morning, a cyclist rode by me.

Cyclist: “Thank you for doing this.”

Me: “You are welcome.”

Cyclist: “Is this just volunteer?”

Me: “It’s just me today.”

Cyclist: “Wow! Thank you.”

Everyone likes to be thanked for what they do.

One way to hear more appreciation is to volunteer with groups of other volunteers. As you talk to them they will often thank you for helping out. It is one of the perks of volunteering.

Although just as valuable, when you volunteer by yourself gratitude does not come as readily.

But occasionally, when you are standing on the side of the road by yourself in the rain with a trash bag in your hand, a cyclist will ride by and say thanks.

I appreciated it.