Gratitude and Thankful are often interchanged but they don’t necessarily mean the same thing. Each word has a specific meaning and for the grammar purists, each word has its own classification in the English language. Disclaimer: I am not a grammar purist!
Gratitude (n) = a feeling of appreciation or thanks
Thankful (adj) = conscious of benefit received; well pleased
(as defined by Merriam-Webster)
Expressing Gratitude is an action. Being Thankful is a feeling.
It’s easy to have these words pop into our mind when we gather with friends and family during the upcoming holiday season. I know I get all warm and fuzzy around the Thanksgiving table when I see all the blessings of food and people that fill that space. I am certainly “thankful”.
Being thankful is the first step to gratitude. We need that warm fuzzy feeling to light the heart fire to move the hands and feet into the action of gratitude. Being in a state of gratitude requires us to be aware of what role others play in our lives. This should be 365 days out of the year, not just within a season of thanksgiving.
“Gratitude is the manifestation of love, devotion and commitment towards those who mean the most to you. It encompasses shared experiences, shared love and an understanding that the universe has conspired to keep us happy, and help us understand how connected we are to others.” (PMC)
But how do we do that? How do we keep gratitude the focus in our lives?
***Make a conscious effort EVERY DAY to find one thing that makes you feel happy, thankful. Something that gives you that warm fuzzy feeling.***
Before you end your day, before you put your head on your pillow, take a moment to reflect on your day and find that one thing. Making this a daily practice will help you live in a state of gratitude. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture or a life-changing moment, it can be anything that made you feel thankful for living that day, for knowing that person.
If you’d like some help finding your state of gratitude, I invite you to download this Gratitude Journal I created. It’s nothing fancy but it does help you make journaling your thoughts a habit. You can use the daily prompts provided or your own.
Whatever season you’re in, it’s always a great time to live in a state of gratitude. I invite you to join our online community where you’ll find tons of support and inspiration!
Stay safe. Stay healthy.
Blessings
Romelia
🙂