With the holiday coming up this week, some will choose to celebrate with family and friends, while others may take the time to reflect. There is a tug of war between the concept of being thankful and what is deemed worthy of gratitude.
I became interested in cigar culture about a year ago, and I have a few individuals I follow on Instagram. A few of them have partnerships with cigar companies, and they display the cigars with luxury items such as watches, liquors, apparel, and decor. All of a sudden, there was judgment from within the community when the things didn’t meet a level of affluence (i.e., expensive stuff).
An influential member of the community posted a lengthy response correcting those who ridiculed those celebrating what they cherished. An Invitica should not be honored any less than a Rolex. Being grateful for a bottle of Jack Daniel’s is not less worthy than a Macallan.
Why did someone feel the need to judge another’s feelings of gratitude towards what they have in life? Do some of us feel thankful but never the express gratitude necessary to celebrate yourself and others?
The words grateful and thankful have different meanings, and many experience them backward. One is a feeling, and the other is the action.
Thankful – feeling or expressing gratitude; appreciative = ACTION
Grateful – warmly or sincerely appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful = FEELING
In my mind, one would need to be grateful so one can be thankful. On the holidays, I advise you to go deeper and be grateful first and then giving thanks will be sincere for you while lifting others up as well. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.
