- Gratitude is showing or feeling appreciation for something, while thankfulness is feeling pleased or relieved about something.
- Thankfulness is a short-lived response to a temporary event, and it's usually expressed by saying “thank you” to someone.
- Gratitude is an emotional response to an impactful event; it involves expressing appreciation in a meaningful way, such as giving someone a gift or returning a favor.
Differences Between Grateful & Thankful
Gratitude is an action and an emotion, while thankfulness is a feeling. By definition, being grateful means showing or feeling appreciation for something, such as giving a gift to someone who helped you or feeling grateful for your health after an emergency. Being thankful, on the other hand, means feeling pleased or relieved about something, whether it’s feeling thankful after someone gives you a compliment or after they hold open a door. Both terms are concepts of appreciation, but gratitude is more complex than thankfulness because it involves both verbal and actionable expression.
Thankfulness is a response to something external, while gratitude is an appreciation that comes from within. Since gratitude involves showing appreciation for something (or someone), there is a giver and a receiver. Thankfulness, however, doesn’t involve both parties because it’s a feeling that mainly benefits the person on the receiving end. For instance, if your friend helps you run an errand, thankfulness would be feeling relieved that you got help and your errand is complete. Being grateful would be feeling appreciation toward your friend, instead of focusing on yourself. You could tell your friend how much you value them or buy them a gift card to express your gratitude—you are the giver, and your friend is the receiver in this case.
Thankfulness is an automatic reply, while gratitude is an intentional act. If someone does something nice on your behalf, you might say “thank you” as a natural response, especially since most people expect you to say it. Gratitude, however, occurs on a deeper level because it involves a willingness to express appreciation; you want to let the other person know how much they mean to you on your own terms. For instance, you might say “thank you” to a stranger for holding your spot in line, but you could express gratitude towards them by offering to pay for their meal; they didn’t ask you to do anything for them, but you feel grateful for their small act of kindness.
Gratitude grows over time, while thankfulness fades. Being thankful is often linked to materialism because it occurs after you receive some type of benefit; it’s a short-lived reaction that doesn’t impact you in the long run. Being grateful, however, is an emotional response to an event (or a series of events) that impacts you in the long run; you typically reflect on the other person’s intentions for being kind to you and cultivate an ongoing mindset of appreciation. For example, you might be thankful that your friend bought you a coffee, but you can be grateful that she actively listens to you and supports your dreams.
Defining Grateful & Thankful
Being grateful is defined as showing or feeling appreciation for something. Gratitude means recognizing that you’ve received something positive from an external source of goodness. You can feel grateful for loved ones, colleagues, animals, nature, and life in general, and studies show that people can intentionally foster gratitude by appreciating the little things in life. Feeling grateful can improve your physical and mental health by boosting happiness and minimizing rumination, which is a hallmark of depression.
Being thankful is defined as feeling pleased or relieved about something. It’s also defined as being conscious of the benefit you receive from someone else, so saying “thank you” is a way to communicate pleasure and happiness toward their actions. Thankfulness involves how you’re feeling in the moment, so it is a response to a temporary situation. You cannot express gratitude without being thankful. This is because thankfulness is the initial emotion you feel toward something that prompts you to feel appreciative.
How to Practice Gratitude
Reflect on your favorite moments from the week. To develop a greater appreciation for life, take time to reflect on your favorite experiences during the week. Focus on the sensations you felt when something good happened to you—were you excited, relaxed, or surprised? Thinking about your emotions can transport you back to those moments and make you feel even more grateful. Even when times are tough, try to highlight the positive aspects of your situation. For example, you could write, “I might not enjoy my job right now, but I’m grateful to be employed when a lot of my friends just got laid off. My job helps me pay for my bills and purchase all the yummy foods I love.”
Make a gratitude journal. To start a gratitude journal, grab a notebook and write down 3 things that you’re thankful for. Describe why these things make you feel positive about your life, and repeat this task every day to improve your well-being. Even if there isn’t anything exciting happening in your life, remind yourself that there’s always something to be grateful for, no matter how big or small it may seem. If you don’t know where to start, here are some ideas: The first cup of coffee in the morning or the smell of morning dew. The ability to learn new things and learn from your mistakes. The tough times because they allow you to appreciate the good times. Having a roof over your head and a warm bed. Access to running water, fresh foods, and electricity.
Perform a random act of kindness. To cultivate a grateful mindset, practice random acts of kindness at least once a week. You could compliment someone’s outfit, help an elderly person carry their groceries, offer to tutor the kid who lives across the street, or buy coffee for the person behind you in the Starbucks drive-thru. There are so many opportunities to be kind to strangers, and your actions can brighten their day and maybe inspire them to do the same! Donate your books to the library. Volunteer at your local animal shelter. Leave a cold drink at your door for the mailman. Bring treats for your coworkers. Let someone go ahead of you in line. Helping your neighbor with yard work.
Practice mindfulness meditation. Instead of following a standard mediation to clear your mind, engage in mindfulness techniques that help you express gratitude for the little things in life. Choose an environment that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed, then take some deep breaths to calm down. Focus on one thing that makes you feel alive, such as the warmth of the sun or a peaceful sound, and tune your senses into the present moment. If your mind starts to wander, understand that it’s perfectly normal to get distracted. Let any negative thoughts pass and return your focus to your breathing.
How to Be Thankful
Be specific about why you’re thankful for someone. Sometimes, saying “thank you” can come off as an automatic response, especially if you blurt it out the second someone does something on your behalf. Instead, give yourself a minute to process the other person’s perspective and explain how their actions made a big impact on your life. To show empathy for their situation, you might say, “I know you had a lot on your plate last week, so I’m so thankful that you set aside time to help me. Your guidance helped me finish the project on time, and I can’t thank you enough!”
Turn your “thank you” into a compliment. If you’re trying to come up with a heartfelt way to thank someone, respond with a genuine compliment, instead of a generic “thank you.” Think about their best qualities and what makes them so amazing, and try to weave that into your reply. If you don’t know the other person that well, you can always give them credit for their actions or share a positive assumption about their character: “Wow, I can’t believe you helped me finish my assignment in an hour. You are a genius!” “I don’t know you personally, but I bet you have a million friends. You are absolutely hilarious!” “I know we’ve only known each other for a few days, but you’re probably the sweetest person I’ve ever met. Thank you so much for everything.”
Send “thank you” notes. In the digital age, a handwritten note feels extra special, making it the perfect way to express thankfulness. Draft a quick thank you note to acknowledge how the other person made a difference in your life, and express your appreciation for all their efforts. Maybe they took care of you while you were sick, or helped you ace a class you were struggling in. Regardless of the situation, remind them that their kind actions won’t be forgotten. You can write your thank you note on something as simple as a post-it, and decorate it with fun doodles or stickers to add a personal touch.
Show others that you appreciate them. Expressing thankfulness can deepen your relationship with others and boost your happiness, so let your loved ones know that you appreciate them whenever you get the chance. When someone does something nice for you, give them a thank you note and try to return the favor if possible. Instead of simply saying “thank you” to someone, demonstrate how thankful you are by offering to run an errand for them or treating them to lunch the following week.
Gratitude as a Spiritual Practice
Gratitude is an important teaching in all major religions. People who are religious typically use prayer to cultivate gratitude. It not only helps them feel more positive in their personal life, but also allows them to develop a deeper sense of satisfaction and fulfillment in their faith. While gratitude plays a slightly different role depending on the specific religion, here are the most common ways that it appears: Through prayer, Christians express gratitude for salvation and God’s blessings. In Judaism, daily morning prayer opens up with Modeh Ani, which is a statement of gratitude for another day. Hindus are taught to remember the good deeds of others and express gratitude through prayer and small acts of service. To live a meaningful and spiritual life, Buddhists are taught to be grateful for life’s blessings and sufferings. In Islam, Muslims pray 5 times a day to express gratitude to Allah. They can also become more grateful to Allah by regularly fasting, repeating phrases from the Qur’an, and treating their brothers and sisters with kindness.
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