I was discussing gratitude with my friend and she mentioned that she had read that appreciation was better than gratitude. As I was looking for the ethymology of the word gratitude, I found this:

“Part of the confusion is that many people have come to equate gratitude with obligation. But real gratitude begins as appreciation for that which has come into your life.”

(excerpted from Phillip Moffitt’s article, “Selfless Gratitude,” August 2002 Yoga Journal, pp. 61-66)

I wonder if in order to emote gratitude at a deeper level, I could consciously add appreciation in my acknowledgement of gratitude…

Not quite clear to me yet. 

This week-end I really appreciated the orange roses of the Rose garden in Stanley Park. I am grateful for orange roses.