If you pay close attention, you’ll feel a very subtle difference between being grateful, and being thankful or appreciative.

To you and I, the difference is subtle, but to the universe (the consciousness of God), the difference is obvious.  When I think of the meaning of the word grateful, I always think of the 1960′s musical Oliver Twist.

At the beginning of the film, Oliver, an orphan growing up in a “work house” asked Mr. Bumble for more food.  He didn’t get a second bowl of food, but if he did, he would have been grateful.

Now, appreciation is what Oliver felt after being given the first bowl (which he never asked for).

Can you feel the difference?

Gratitude is felt after you get what you want.  But, as Mick Jagger states: “You can’t always get what you want.”  This is where appreciation comes in…you appreciate what you have been given, even if it’s not quite what you asked for.

Maybe there’s something in your life that just plain sucks!  How can you appreciate something like the death of a loved one or disease?

I have experienced both many times over in my life, as I am sure you have, and it can be an overwhelming situation.

But, once I find that place of calm and remember my spirituality; my connection to The Force, I’m able to view my situation with appreciation.

I didn’t ask for disease or death, but I appreciate it as an opportunity to learn and evolve as a spiritual being in the Universe.  It’s a new experience.

Religious people pray to God;  they make demands.  Appreciation is louder and clearer than the babble of prayer.

Listen to a recording where Eric Pepin talks about the subtle difference between appreciation and gratitude below.

I think you will find it quite fascinating!

Click play below to listen!

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