Thankful AND Grateful

Thanksgiving is celebrated to say thanks and recognize the sacrifices and blessings of the past year.

When we gather around the table with our families, all warm & fuzzy feeling, with more food than one can humanly consume, we take turns sharing what we are thankful for in our lives.

This tradition got me thinking about the difference between thankful & grateful.

You might be thinking: “Cole, they mean the same thing. Who cares? Let’s eat!”

But we should care.

Because “thank you” is just the appetizer, but daily gratitude, all year long, is the turkey dinner.

The google dictionary defines thankful as “pleased and relieved.” Thankful is a feeling & feelings can fade.

Grateful is defined by “showing appreciation of kindness.” Being grateful is an action. And actions can be more powerful than words.

Being grateful goes much deeper than that. You feel a deep sense of appreciation that comes from within.

Having something to be thankful for is the first step. Then you can build on that by making gratitude an intrinsic part of your life 365 days of the year.

Why? Because having a gratitude practice creates awareness of those around us & our own actions. It helps us make sense of our lives & allows us to give credit & appreciation to the ones we love.

Susan Rhoads said: “Gratitude is the manifestation of love, devotion, & commitment towards those who mean the most to you. It encompasses shared experiences, shared love, & an understanding that the universe has conspired to keep us happy & help us understand how connected we are to others.”

Damn, that’s beautiful.

As you start your Thanksgiving day, find some time to sit & reflect on what you are thankful for, & then reflect on how you want to show up in your daily life with gratitude.

🙏🏻How do you show appreciation to those you love?

🙏🏻How does gratitude connect you with others?

We don’t say “grate you,” we say “thank you,” and then we act by showing gratitude.

I’m thankful you got this far & grateful for any comments. (See what I did there?)

Now go get stuffed! 🦃