What does ‘thankful’ mean for/to you? Is it a phrase you toss out, a kind of ‘gee, thanks’ comment? Or is it something you have thought about and have experienced the result that causes a thankful spirit? Unfortunately thanks, thanksgiving, thankful are words that everyone ‘knows’ – but do we? Do you know how to express your feelings of thanks? Do you take the time to acknowledge your thankfulness?
Webster defines thanksgiving as: the act of giving thanks, a prayer expressing gratitude. Duly note the word ‘act’ – it isn’t something you think, you act on it. But the action is also defined: expressing gratitude. How do you express thanks? Is it a quid pro quo basis? If it is, then the word has lost its meaning. Thankfulness is an attitude – an attitude of gratitude. Perhaps it is favor when you least expected it, or the knowledge of unexpected positive results, or a thousand other reasons but whatever causes the feeling it is based on something you know.
Thankful is an adjective while thanks and thanksgiving are nouns and verbs. And yes it does make a difference. In my world of definitions thankful is the attitude and the other two words are the actions that identify the attitude. I tend to think that none of us do a very good job of expressing our thankfulness. It’s far more than a simple phrase. Thankfulness is as much a lifestyle as it is a mindset. Some people know how to be grateful, some know that the expression of the mindset is based in their lifestyle.
Many times the feeling of thanks originates from an unexpected (positive) experience and you simply have to share your feeling – the awareness of what has occurred is occasion for expression. Whatever the situation the fact remains that thanks, thanksgiving, thankfulness has to be expressed. And often in the sharing, this becomes cause for others’ rejoicing with and for you. It has a ripple affect on those around you.
