November is often called as a "Gratitude Month". At Thanksgiving, we would go around the table and ask the question “What are you grateful for?” .... This is a great way to fill your mind, heart with positive emotions. I have heard of having a gratitude journal where you write the things you are grateful for in your life.
During a recent conversation in my Yoga Class, the question rose as whether there is a difference between Gratitude and Appreciation and, if so, what would it be? My observation is, we use the word grateful/gratitude and appreciation out of a habit. Somewhere we lost the true sense of these words. Dictionary meaning of "Gratitude" is "the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness." Does it mean you have to be grateful first to appreciate? My thought is, gratitude is the base from which appreciation grows and flourishes. We can be grateful for something in our lives without really appreciating it. Gratitude is the quality of being thankful... it’s very subtle, it senses struggle which you’ve to overcome. Where as appreciation comes from within. Appreciation is the recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something. It sounds "love"..
Gratitude is a bit less empowering than appreciation. The shift from gratitude to appreciation involves being more present, more thoughtfully aware about what we are grateful for. For example, we can be grateful for having food on our table. However, going further if we start noticing its beauty, fragrance, taste, nutrition, and preparation, we will start appreciating. We go beyond thankfulness as we recognize the value that food that adds to our lives.
When we truly appreciate, it makes us feel brighter, lighter, happier and loved. It's time to replace my gratitude list with my appreciation list!!
-मी मधुरा...
२९ नोहेंबर २०१७
No comments:
Post a Comment