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Around this time of year people begin talking a lot about being grateful and thankful for what they have; even for the small things.
One on-line dictionary of sorts provides a clear difference between the terms “grateful” and “thankful.” According to this source:
Grateful means that you appreciate what someone has done for you and you want to express your thanks.
Thankful means that you are relieved/pleased that what you hoped for has actually happened.
These definitions might lead us to wonder about whether it’s possible to be thankful for something or someone mainly because things line up the way we want them to. Or, if there’s potential to be thankful without being grateful for a thing or for a person.
And, when we’re grateful do we always demonstrate thanks in our words and actions?
Significant time is spent on self-reflection, reflection about others, and reflections about past and present experiences during each holiday season; and, oftentimes we may find ourselves asking these reflective questions:
Am I grateful for who, where, and what I currently represent; and what others currently represent to me even if some things in the past or present may not have gone as originally planned?
Am I thankful that what was hoped for actually came to fruition; recognizing that things could have gone in the complete opposite direction?
Is my life modeling thanks and gratitude, even for the small things?
As we officially enter the 2009 Holiday Season, we can all be encouraged to put thought into some of the “small givens” we may unintentionally take for granted from day to day ~ the people, places, and things around us. One on-line dictionary of sorts provides a clear difference between the terms “grateful” and “thankful.” According to this source:
Grateful means that you appreciate what someone has done for you and you want to express your thanks.
Thankful means that you are relieved/pleased that what you hoped for has actually happened.
These definitions might lead us to wonder about whether it’s possible to be thankful for something or someone mainly because things line up the way we want them to. Or, if there’s potential to be thankful without being grateful for a thing or for a person.
And, when we’re grateful do we always demonstrate thanks in our words and actions?
Significant time is spent on self-reflection, reflection about others, and reflections about past and present experiences during each holiday season; and, oftentimes we may find ourselves asking these reflective questions:
Am I grateful for who, where, and what I currently represent; and what others currently represent to me even if some things in the past or present may not have gone as originally planned?
Am I thankful that what was hoped for actually came to fruition; recognizing that things could have gone in the complete opposite direction?
Is my life modeling thanks and gratitude, even for the small things?
Along with those thoughts, we’re urged to let others know that we’re both grateful and thankful for who they are and for what they do with and for us. This can not only help strengthen interpersonal relationships; but it can lead to an improved self-image and a reduction in overall stress levels.
LifelineExtentions.blog is grateful and thankful for all of its readers, followers, and supporters. We appreciate you for your continued encouragement to provide a "place for candid conversations about some of life's challenges, with a focus on simple solutions..."
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday with your families ~ from all of our homes to all of yours!
All my best,
Sharon
Sharon M. Biggs, M.A., is a wife, mother, and 21st Century educational leader who serves as Co-Chair & President of Lifeline Foundation, Inc. This 23-year educator is also Founder, Editor, and Chief Writer of LifelineExtensions.blog. View Sharon's other published works at www.examiner.com.
Contact Sharon directly for more information: sharonbiggs@mylifelinefoundation.org
"Children are the globe's most precious commodity."
(Terence H. Biggs, Jr. ~ 2009)
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