One of my co-workers made a lunch run to a local restaurant and was kind enough to ask if I wanted anything. Since I hadn't planned to be in the office very long today, I hadn't packed a lunch and I was happy to take her up on the offer. As I was eating the french fries covered in cheese and carne asada and pico de gall0 (might have been eating my anxieties there), I thought about how grateful I was that she brought me some food. Or was I thankful? Is there a difference?
I've always thought the words "thankful" and "grateful" were interchangeable - synonyms. My curiosity got the better of me and I had to GTS (google that shit).
The dictionary defines "grateful" as feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness or benefits received. For example, my co-worker brought me lunch, which was kind, and I was grateful to her.
"Thankful" is defined as being pleased or glad because of something. I guess I could be thankful for the french fries that filled up my tummy and were dang good.
I think it is worth noting that even the dictionary lists thankful as a synonym for grateful and vice versa.
Over the past ten minutes or so, I have looked at several websites that try to explain the difference between these two words. For me, this article sums it up the best. This is how I will remember the difference:
...being thankful is a feeling, and being grateful is an action.
I thankful that Mac was unharmed after her escape. I'll be grateful to MT when he fixes the fence.
I can be thankful that music calms me and grateful to T for cajoling me into getting Apple Music.
Basically I think it comes down to gratitude involving a person and something that they do for us.
I'm thankful we have the internet to provide answers to burning questions.
Either way, I know that it makes me feel good to think of things to be thankful or grateful for.
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