It might be useful to define some key terms: Gratitude, Thankfulness, and Gratefulness. Gratitude is the state of being grateful (merriam-webster), and (my preferred definition) the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness (Oxford dictionaries).
After spending some time doing a little research on each word it appears that there is little difference between thankfulness and gratefulness. Both describe a deep awareness and an expression of gratitude. The slight possible difference might be that thankfulness suggests the expression of gratitude for something specifically, and often, tangibly given, whereas gratefulness hints at an underlying attitude of simply being grateful for what is.
For this series on cultivating joy through gratefulness my focus will primarily be on having that underlying attitude of living a life of gratitude (gratefulness). But I will often discuss the many expressions of gratitude as a response to something that is specifically, and often, tangibly given (thankfulness) since this often leads to the forming and solidifying a heart filled with gratitude. And that is the point of this journey--to experience true Joy as the result of cultivating the habit of choosing gratitude.
The unanimous definition of joy is 'a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.' But for the sake of clarification, I will borrow and add a bit to a fellow blogger's definition of joy that resonated deeply with me. Joy to me is a deep sense of peace and comfort in trusting and seeing God's hand at work in my life and living the purpose for my existence.
I hope that as my journey unfolds in written form in this blog that you might be inspired to keep these two simple words, thank you, readily available so that you, too, may be filled with joy.
For this series on cultivating joy through gratefulness my focus will primarily be on having that underlying attitude of living a life of gratitude (gratefulness). But I will often discuss the many expressions of gratitude as a response to something that is specifically, and often, tangibly given (thankfulness) since this often leads to the forming and solidifying a heart filled with gratitude. And that is the point of this journey--to experience true Joy as the result of cultivating the habit of choosing gratitude.
The unanimous definition of joy is 'a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.' But for the sake of clarification, I will borrow and add a bit to a fellow blogger's definition of joy that resonated deeply with me. Joy to me is a deep sense of peace and comfort in trusting and seeing God's hand at work in my life and living the purpose for my existence.
I hope that as my journey unfolds in written form in this blog that you might be inspired to keep these two simple words, thank you, readily available so that you, too, may be filled with joy.
Day 2 of Cultivating joy through 20 days of gratefulness.