tell your heroes

musings on gratitude

I.

One of the TV series that has a profound impact on me last year is “Extraordinary Attorney Woo“, which tells the story of an adorable newbie lawyer on the autism spectrum who starts working for a law firm. Throughout the series, we learn more about how she handles each legal case and most importantly, her lens on the world and the people around her.

Woo Young Woo is famous for her bluntness, which might have not worked well in most social situations, but at the most unexpected times, it brings people to tears.

When Choi Su-yeon, one of Woo Young Woo’s closest colleagues, asked her what nickname she would give her, we (including Su-yeon) all thought she would give her the kind of nicknames such as “Babyface Choi Suyeon Beauty” or “Most Beautiful Choi Suyeon”.

But having not missed a beat, Woo Young Woo firmly said, “No. Those aren’t you”.

She added, “You’re like the spring sunshine”. 

She then explained, “You told me where the lecture hall was, when class was canceled, and when the test material changed, You tried to stop the other students from making fun of me or bullying me. Even now, you open my water bottles for me and tell me that you’ll let me know when the cafeteria serves gimbap again”,

“You’re a bright, warm, kind, and sweet person. You’re ‘Spring Sunshine Su-yeon."

Suyeon understandably was shocked and teared up at the unexpected sweetness, as did I. That’s one of the sweetest scenes I have watched on screen, probably ever.

Through that, I learned a powerful lesson,

“When we go out of our way to call out people’s light, they will believe it.“

II.

As we navigate this journey called life, we sometimes forget to appreciate the sunshines around us. We tend to wait, store up our deepest compliments for eulogies, when those who need to hear them are no longer with us.

I strongly believe this needs to change.

We should try to dig and give people their flowers, write their eulogies while they're alive.

It's about never keeping the nice thoughts to ourselves. Never hold back the good you see in others. Call out their light today, not tomorrow.

"I notice you always go out of your way to make people feel comfortable, thank you so much for doing that."

"I see you."

"Your art reminds me of home, of love, of life. Thank you for sharing it with me."

Start with your friends, your family, your coworkers! Compliment their creativity, their work ethic, their sense of humor, or their kindness. These everyday heroes in our lives are often operating under an appreciation deficit, not knowing how much their small actions and behaviors impact those around them.

III.

You'd also be surprised that often the writers, artists, musicians whose work stirs something within us, are often underappreciated. You'd be stunned to find that they rarely receive kind messages with no agenda other than to express gratitude.

When I enjoy any books or find a new musician I like, I always make it a point to send them an email or DM them on social media.

(here’s a link to the phenomenal “all the better to see you with“ i mentioned in the DM!)

Will you tell your heroes today? Try letting them know how you appreciate their work, and let me know it makes you feel!

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Thanks for reading!

Thu Anh.

#wotn3 #day8