My family is known for nit-picking words and meanings of words. I’ve seen this referred to as “distinctions” over at verycoollife.com by Drew Rozell, PhD. I’ve heard it referred to as other things in my own kitchen. I’ m going with distinctions.

Drew makes a distinction between gratitude and appreciation. He says appreciation is better than gratitude because gratitude always has a tinge of the past attached, whereas appreciation is right now in the moment. Maybe, maybe not. I thought about it the whole day after I read his post. Something just didn’t feel quite right about it to me.

I think there is a different difference.

For me, gratitude implies ownership. I am grateful for things or situations I have in my life. People I have relationships with, material possessions, even my cat (although we all know people don’t own cats).

Appreciation doesn’t have that meaning for me. I can appreciate a sunset, or the turn of a phrase, or a sexy Italian sports car passing me on the highway. I can appreciate someone or something without the attachment I feel when I am grateful for it.

What do you think? Is there a difference between gratitude and appreciation? And if there is, what is it?