One of my blogger friends, who recently lost her mom, was listing the many reasons she was grateful for her mom. As she made her list she couldn’t help but marvel at the ease and effort in which she was able to do so and wondered why people had such a difficult time expressing gratitude.

As she effortlessly continued her list, it hit her.

Her mom taught her gratitude at a young age. She was seven when her mom bought her a box of thank you cards and instructed her to write notes of appreciation to the people who mattered in her life.

It required some thought at first, but quickly became effortless. It went beyond a mere “thank you,” which was typically preceded by someone giving her something. This, however, was an expression of appreciation—a thank you to someone for simply being themselves.

The difference between feeling gratitude and giving thanks can be found in the difference between appreciation for gifts or favors that can be measured, and appreciation for what is.

Our hope lies in remembering the difference.