Lately, I’ve been thinking. I’m not grateful as much. Now, I’m appreciative ~ it’s all in the words you use and how they “FEEL” for you.
I’ve changed the way I ‘feel’ about gratitude and thankfulness. I give thanks often and am grateful for so much. BUT, lately, it’s been in relationship with what I DON’T have. Here are some examples:
But each of these things that I’m grateful for is actually drawing my energy downward when I say them. Here’s why: they are all used in relationship to something ‘less-than’ and that draws my energy down rather than up!
So, lately, I’ve decided to be more appreciative of life. Here are some examples of how I changed gratitude into appreciation.
One of the things I focus on in my day is embracing things that only bring my Energy UP even ~ ever so slightly. Don’t get me wrong. Gratitude is important in life and I’m grateful for it. By no means does it zap my energy completely but it does just ~ ever so slightly~ bring it down. Appreciation on the other hand, to me, elevates my vibrational energy ~ever so slightly. Sometimes, it’s the slightest nuances that can bring about profound change. I So appreciate my high school science teacher for capturing this moment:
Take a moment and see how things FEEL when you say “I’m grateful for _______” then tweak it and say “I so appreciate ______” and see how you FEEL. Does it make a difference? So, this Thanksgiving Week, I am not thankful or grateful. This Thanksgiving Week, I so appreciate the many things that I am given on a day to day, moment to moment basis. How about you?
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I’m all for the Thanksgiving spirit! I’m thankful, grateful, and now “so appreciative” of my life. I will also add “blessed.” You’re so right, Laura, the words we use are very important! Using words that inspire us and lift us up make a huge difference in our lives! Great reminder!
Comment by Sandi Gordon — November 19, 2012 @ 10:27 pm
Oh, Sandi, “BLESSED” I like that one ~ because for me it connotes a GREAT, big, wonderful GIFT. I just did a quick check of my chakras saying appreciate and blessed…Blessed levels me up even more!!! Does it do that for you too? Thanks! KEEP SMILING
Comment by Laura Clark — November 20, 2012 @ 7:20 am
I so appreciate this post! I’ve actually been writing fairly regularly in a gratitude journal. I always start w/ a list of what I an thankful for. After I complete my list, I read it over and think “Wow! Hope fortunate am I!”
Comment by Stephanie Faiella — November 19, 2012 @ 10:54 pm
I know!!! I do too…but I have switched it to an appreciation journal. Here’s another example: I’m having heat challenges at the office. It’s off in the AM, the company comes and gets it running and then it’s off the next am (Mercury retrograde, right?!). So, when it’s done. I’ll be GRATEFUL that I have heat because of the ‘lack’ of it lately. At lunch yesterday, I so APPRECIATED the warmth of the sun on my face as I walked the beach (even though it was a chilly day). And, the Appreciation just brings me up every so much more than the gratitude!!! But Gratitude still rocks!!!!!!! 🙂 Can you think of a time when you’ve been appreciative??!!
Comment by Laura Clark — November 20, 2012 @ 7:18 am
My 5-year-old and I do this every night and I think it’s important to start out small. “I’m grateful for my pillow…for my warm house…for my kitchen full of food…etc.” It helps us to stay in the present and staying in the present + being grateful only keep us in the positive vibration. Love it! Thanks Laura! Janet
Comment by Janet — November 20, 2012 @ 3:09 pm
That is awesome, Janet, that you are teaching AND doing this with your child…it’s lessons like that that stay with them. It’s all about raising that vibration as high as possible 🙂
Comment by Laura Clark — November 20, 2012 @ 3:14 pm
Awesome posts as always. This is such a subtle twist, but it has profound effects. There is great research on the power of gratitude. I’d love to see it done with appreciation. There is just so much more energy there.
Comment by Laurie Erdman | Chronic Wellness Coach — November 20, 2012 @ 9:03 pm
I love how you show us how to tweak gratitude into appreciation. Right now, I’m sick. And it’s so easy for me to spiral down into self-pity, resistance and frustration. But I so appreciate that I have the space and time to take it easy today. I appreciate how quickly my body heals. I appreciate that I have the whole night to kick back, rest and go to bed early. I appreciate that tomorrow, Thanksgiving, will be another day of rest and ease.
With this, I feel my energy lifting up! Thanks, Laura!
Comment by Nancy Tierney — November 21, 2012 @ 3:56 pm
Wonderful and meaningful post. Thank you so much for your insight.
Comment by Phyllis Harbinger — November 22, 2012 @ 11:57 am
Phyllis ~ I’m glad it was meaningful for you. Hope your Thanksgiving was filled with many blessings. KEEP SMILING 🙂
Comment by Laura Clark — November 23, 2012 @ 6:35 am
Thank you, Laura for these thoughts. This week I have a lot of thoughts about appreciating. I think we lose what we don’t appreciate. I lost my laptop, was stolen two days ago, I didn’t appreciate it enough. Since that shock, appreciation is my main thought. I like the way you describe the path from depressive to inspiring thoughts of appreciation. Thank you!
Comment by Maria Nikolaeva Angelova — November 23, 2012 @ 1:36 am
Laura,
I love how you shared the difference between being grateful and appreciative. Sometimes I appreciate seems more meaningful, I’m going to be using it much more in my journaling.
Comment by Jane Lovas — November 27, 2012 @ 4:45 pm
Thanks, Jane. It is a small difference but I believe it has a remarkable edge!!!! Let me know how it goes in your journaling!
Comment by Laura Clark — November 27, 2012 @ 5:15 pm