Ahh…Thanksgiving, a holiday dedicated to the focus of being thankful, but are we grateful?
The Oxford Dictionary defines the word thankful as “pleased and relieved.” Both of those are great feelings. Everyone wants to be pleased and relieved. But that’s just it; they’re just feelings, and feelings fade.
The Oxford Dictionary defines the word grateful as “showing an appreciation of kindness.” This is where the difference lies; being thankful is a feeling, and being grateful is an action.
It’s easy for us to look around the Thanksgiving dinner table and say that we are thankful. Surrounded by family, friends and food. In that moment in time, we’re experiencing that warm, fuzzy feeling that comes with a holiday gathering. We may feel thankful for their presence in our lives, and happy that everyone is well since the last gathering.
