She has been there and done that.
The Statue of Liberty used to be a tourist attraction to her, but in 1995, it became a symbol of her new home. She has been an immigration lawyer since 2006 and was an immigrant to the United States.
Saja is a business immigration attorney. Her family is from Iraq, but she only spent her first year of life there. She lived in Scotland and Saudi Arabia before making the United States her home. She writes that she is the proud daughter of an “Alien of Extraordinary Ability,” a visa classification recognizing her father, Dr. Ameed Raoof’s distinguished career in Medical Education. You can watch a ten-part video of her interviewing her father on her LinkedIn profile posts.
Every person is unique in their gratitude beliefs and behaviors. Saja has a wealth of lessons for us. She is a self-declared wallflower, an introvert, and a businesswoman, and has experience with many cultures.
Gratitude is the cornerstone of character, Saja tells me. It’s been a guiding principle her mother taught her. Her mother based her gratitude approach on a saying from a ninth-century Arab poet, Al-Mutanabbi;
Whether or not you convey gratitude is a yardstick of your character. Show a gracious person courtesy, and you’ll win their favor. Show a contemptible person courtesy, and they’ll take advantage of you.
Gratitude is a feeling that Saja gets when others extend courtesy and when actions stem from that feeling. Gratitude is choosing to notice, appreciate, and act from a glass half full.
Saja is thoughtful and plans deeply how she will show appreciation to others. She goes all-out in planning how to express gratitude and is known as the queen of video testimonials. Her videos have been called elaborate documentaries, complete with music, poetry, and praise. Saja wants to ensure they are memorable and reflect that person’s merits.
Customized Appreciation
Saja is always on the lookout for how she can show gratitude. She notes that appreciation is an active habit that builds trust. As we spoke, she was embroidering a thank-you for someone. Each appreciation gift is unique, not generic. She goes out of her way to express her appreciation to clients, peers, family, and friends. 
Gratitude is a Choice
Gratitude is a choice, and it’s one you can make, especially when she notes when you might have had a rough day or feel like quitting. Gratitude helps remind Saja of why she does what she does and reinforces her choices. In her case, it’s her way of honoring others’ dreams and preserving the United States as a nation of immigrants.
Gratitude does have challenges, she admits. It can sometimes be hard to remember when life gets in the way. At times, it’s tempting to gravitate to the negative. Saja works to cultivate a practice of gratitude proactively by journaling regularly and talking to family and friends, which makes her feel grateful.
Gratitude Business Challenge
Saja identified a challenge for gratitude in business cultures: scarcity mindset. A scarcity mindset blocks abundant resources and impedes gratitude. It leads to cutthroat and negative behaviors; instead, she believes in collaboration.
Choose gratitude. It ripples forward. Take the time to discover and proactively build gratitude habits and behaviors.
Takeaways
- Gratitude is a choice, reminding us why we do what we do.
- Demonstrating gratitude isn’t just a courtesy to the recipient. It also reflects well on the person expressing gratitude.
- Businesses must cultivate an abundance mindset rather than cutthroat competition.
References
- Saaja Inspiring WHY story: Why I Practice Immigration Law — Saja Raoof, Inc. (sar.law)
- Arab Poet Who Talks about Gratitude: Al-Mutanabbi – Wikipedia
- Saja interviews her dad: Activity | Saja Raoof | LinkedIn
