I’ve had a resolution for the past couple of years to be more grateful.  During this month of Thanksgiving, it made me think about the difference between grateful and thankful.  After several Google searches, I found many confusing definitions and comparisons.

The best definition, I thought, popped up at www.spirit-minded.com.  It describes grateful as a noun and thankful as an adjective. Thankfulness takes 2 people – a receiver and a giver, and at least one person has created the moment.  “Grateful” is a state of being, just being grateful for “what is.”

To help me continue this quest, I asked the Purple Ink team what they were thankful for as it applied to their work environment and teams. Here are their answers:

A creative team that executes and keeps me grounded

Fantastic clients who appreciate our help, tell others, and pay on time

Training participants who engage and share

My family, who supports me in doing what I love

Our security team, who have taught me to take breaks during the day and go for a walk outside

A collaborative and safe environment where I can feel free to express opinions and share ideas

A flexible schedule and workplace with variety of responsibilities and new challenges 

Work that provides money so I can play, take care of those I love, and contribute to causes I care about

Colleagues who support each other, see each other’s strengths, and make each other feel good about their contributions to the team

The flexible schedule and option to work virtually

The great people I work with

An opportunity to have a job doing something I enjoy

Friendships at work

Getting to do something I’m interested in and having the freedom to do what I want with it and try new things

The flexibility and autonomy to manage each day’s routine 

The ability to work from anywhere

Work that allows me to help people think about things differently and more broadly

Work that introduces me to new people all the time so I can continue to learn and grow

Reminding ourselves who we are thankful for reminds us to be grateful.  So, reading this list put me in a “state of grateful being.” My new resolution is now to remain in that state, and I am thankful for all the people who help me to remain that way.

Are you grateful?  Why?  And who are you thankful for?  Tell them!