Park So-hyeon / South Korea
Ever since I became a young adult, I have worked in all kinds of places—barbecue restaurants, convenience stores, and cafés. Along the way, I learned a skill that has stayed with me: saying “thank you” and “I’m sorry.”
At my first part-time job, I faced an unexpected challenge. I had to say “thank you” when I did not really feel thankful, and “I’m sorry” when it was not my fault. I often thought to myself, Do I really need to thank them for this? or But this isn’t my fault . . .—and the words would not come easily.
As I gained more experience and encountered different situations, I came to realize that these expressions go far beyond literal gratitude or apology. A simple “thank you,” spoken even when unnecessary, often brought a gentle smile to a customer’s face. An “I’m sorry,” though I bore no fault, softened the furrow in my employer’s brow. I learned that such words are more than polite habits—they are acts of empathy, ways of sharing feelings, offering comfort, and practicing love.
I have come to understand that even a single word can touch someone’s heart and become an expression of love. That is why “thank you” and “I’m sorry” now flow naturally from my lips. Whether at work or in Zion, I hope to speak them often as a way of putting love into practice.