“Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.” ~ Henry Van Dyke
I appreciate Mr. Van Dyke’s quote as it demonstrates the natural progression from recognition to realization to actualization found in any successful process of growth and development.
You know what you express. Simply thinking you know is not enough.
To truly know you must move from discovery, where you recognize something outside or beyond you, to grokking, where you incorporate it internally, to actualization, where your expression gives evidence of true knowing.
“The improvement of understanding is for two ends: first, our own increase of knowledge; secondly, to enable us to deliver that knowledge to others.” ~ John Locke
Gregory Hake 
If you want to understand the term grokking more fully, I would recommend reading Heinlein’s book “Stranger in a Strange Land” for the full info on that. It is a great book, and I would say that it outlines the steps you wrote about in another way.
If you don’t make it all the way to the third step of actual thanksgiving, you will never really understand the first two fully, as this kind of understanding is really a process of resonance where when you take it to the end, you understand the first and second steps that you didn’t fully get the first time.
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Thank you Gregg, this is a beautiful meditation!
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The experience gained from honestly reflecting on the effects of your expression helps to further bring you closer to the truth of your knowledge. I’m grateful that what we call ‘nature’ with its various laws, is a wise and generous instructor, ever teaching us the right way to live and compose ourselves to the end that we live happy and fulfilled lives. I must say that I’ve found your writings to be ever so consistent in their logic and inspiration towards the very same goal, and so it is that my attention keeps coming back here.
Keep up your spirited work – it is most praiseworthy!
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Whatever the dictionary definition may indicate, it is certainly useful to make this distinction. Gratefulness is a good start, but generally it is situation-dependent. Thanksgiving as a foundational attitude allows for ongoing realization and actualization. Perhaps today is a good day to give thanks for your regular reminders and for the opportunity to set new precedents!
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Had to stop here first before I cook Thanksgivig dinner for my wonderful family. Glad I did! Happy Thanksgiving to you. I always appreciate your subjects and discussions. Thank you.
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