I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the concept of gratitude.⠀
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I don’t know about you, but for me feeling grateful can feel too big for some things, like it doesn’t quite fit. ⠀
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And with every influencer and their sister promoting gratitude practices, gratitude journals, and gratitude retreats, it’s starting to feel a bit cliche and cheesy, don’t ya think? ⠀
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But what about appreciation? ⠀
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Oxford defines appreciation as the recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something. ⠀
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I like that idea because life gets pretty mundane when we don’t pause to recognize and enjoy the little things. ⠀
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Like when you’re taking a walk and see a team of ants working together to move a piece of food. ⠀
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Are you the type of person who will stop and watch this fantastic display of teamwork. ⠀
Do you feel grateful though? ⠀
Sure, maybe? I guess. ⠀
For me, what I notice is more of a feeling of appreciation. ⠀
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Appreciation for the complexity of this world, and for its beauty and that I noticed this little team of ants in the first place.⠀
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I’m beginning to think that gratitude might not be enough, or maybe it just feels too out of reach sometimes.⠀
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Could an appreciation practice help?⠀
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What do you think? ⠀
Am I way out in left field with this one?⠀
