What’s the difference between Appreciation and Gratitude?

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the whole year. It is a special day set aside to celebrate all that I have to be grateful for.

I used to think that being grateful was important. And I still do. But I have changed my daily Gratitude practice to a daily Appreciation practice.

What’s the difference? It’s a BIG difference in my mind.

Gratitude is good. But it is inactive. What I mean is, it doesn’t carry as much energy or stamina as Appreciation. Appreciation is active because it is more engaging and carries with it more energy.

Let me give you some examples:

A) Gratitude: I am grateful for food.

Appreciation: I appreciate the life-giving nourishment my food provides and the delicious taste that I am able to  savor.

B) I’m Grateful for beautiful flowers. But I Appreciate the opportunity to be surrounded by their beauty and fragrance. And I appreciate how they beautify my environment, make it more welcoming.

C) I’m Grateful for my husband. But I Appreciate the fact he is a great provider, he listens to me. I Appreciate that he has a great sense of humor and he always knows how to make me laugh.

Appreciation delves deeper into the WHY of Gratitude.

Appreciation has more power. It recognizes myself as a co-creator of my experience and I’m engaging with something. It helps me to engage with life more.

There is value in really differentiating between appreciation and gratitude.

I can be grateful for my body. But how can I appreciate my body? I can be grateful for a person. But what are the things about that person that I appreciate?

So what and who are you grateful for today? How can you take that gratitude to an appreciation level? This Thanksgiving, and every day, contact the people you are grateful for your life. Call them. Send them a note. Let them know how much you appreciate them and why you appreciate them. Let them know all the things you appreciate about them.

Appreciation lands differently then gratitude. Get a partner and practice the difference. Saying it out loud and see how that feels.

Because we are not used to receiving appreciation, it can feel odd and even vulnerable to give and receive appreciation. In my workshops I have one exercise that really allows the attendees to experience fully accepting appreciation, and it is literally life changing once you learn how to fully accept those appreciations.

I am grateful for you. More importantly, I appreciate you being in my life, that you take the time to read this, and that you spread your gifts in your own unique way.

Yes. You Matter. Own Your Value by Appreciating Yourself. Spread That to Others Around. It’s All About You. And It’s About Being In Touch In Life.

Teresa Lea, BA NCLMBT # 1804

If you found this of value and want to find out about my work and  more ways to care for yourself, go to www.InTouchInLife.com  or call 336-623-9138