Much has been written on the difference between the two words gratitude and appreciation, so let me just sum up before we dive in.

Without going all Oxford dictionary on you, gratitude is the quality of being thankful and appreciation is recognizing the (positive) qualities of someone or something. Interestingly, each has the other word as part of their definition. This indicates the confusion everyone feels in trying to understand the difference between the two words.

My suggestion? Do your very best to experience BOTH. When you are both grateful and appreciative you feel thankful as well as admiring of all that came together to create that state of gratitude.  For example, you can be grateful for the fact that your child or partner is in your life, but stopping to really admire their traits enhances the feeling of gratitude – and often leads to intensified feelings of pure love.

It’s interesting to note that sometimes, gratitude is tinged with a bit of negative vibration in that it’s sometimes seen as relief from a previous state. For example, “Phew. I’m so grateful it has stopped raining.” Even when we talk about ourselves, gratitude may even be tinged with the idea that on some level, we believe we are unworthy of what it is we are grateful for and therefore should feel grateful for what we have.

Obviously, I’m a deep believer in recognizing all there is to be grateful for – in fact, see below for some gratitude exercises which absolutely increase your daily happiness factor. However, when it is couched in a negative, I’m-not-worthy attitude, it can also be somewhat disempowering. For example, in prayers, we often see the words “I am not worthy.”   Or you might hear a friend say, “I’m lucky that I found him.” Lucky? You manifested this person in your life, by your behavior, your vibration of openness and love and at least on some level, asking the universe for a partner. You deserve what you have. Be grateful, but know that.

But here are some ways to bring the practice of gratitude into your life (and I recommend you couple it with appreciation whenever possible!):

• Every morning and evening make a mental note of 3 things you are grateful for. I used to do this with my kids at dinner, asking, “Name 3 great things that happened today in your life.”
• As Maryanne Williamson says, treat every interaction as “holy.” When you appreciate that we are all connected, you see the “divine” in everyone and therefore in yourself.
• Throughout the day, pause for 60 seconds and just breathe in gratitude and appreciation for anything you can find in your life. When you are in that state, you create the vibration (and begin seeing opportunities) of attracting more to be grateful for. (You also tend to be more generous with others.)
• Keep a “gratitude bowl” in your bedroom. At the end of the day write at least one thing on a slip of paper that you are grateful for. When you’re feeling low, pull a few out and read them (thank you to Laura Clark for this suggestion).
• If you struggle to find things to feel grateful for, turn to the things you take for granted every day: the ability to walk, to lie in a comfortable bed with soft sheets, the people who love you, that you have an abundance of food to eat, electric lights and hot and cold running water…. Keep the list running, and you will be amazed.
• Write a letter or visit someone you feel grateful for. This could be someone you’ve not seen in years (an old teacher or a friend you’ve lost touch with). Express your appreciation and what he or she did to impact your life.
• Take a gratitude walk. When you’re ready to spit nails, go take a walk and look for all the things that you are grateful for on that walk: the beautiful flowers, the adorable child, the breeze, the fact that you have choice in your life.
• Keep a gratitude totem. Keep something within your sight to remind you to be grateful. This can be a stone, a twig, a photograph of something that makes you move into that state. Pause long enough to relish that as often as possible.
• Put a thank you sign on your mirror or door so that each time you wake up or leave your home you are grateful for this day.
• Abraham Hicks recommends a “rampage of gratitude.” You can do this in writing or in your mind’s eye. Simply look around you and notice what makes you feel good. Let the feeling build and build. Notice something else that is pleasing, and keep going until you are standing in full-blown awe at how amazing it is to be alive.

I advise you to get creative! There are so many ways to practice gratitude and appreciation.

So, while eating your Thanksgiving meal, I invite you to truly pause and appreciate the taste and texture of your food (be mindful when you eat, drink  — which will also make you aware of when you are FULL!) and to sit at your table and admire all of the people around it (even “annoying” family members – find something to appreciate about them). Be grateful for your bounty, for the love in your life.

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