The term appreciation is often used as a synonym for gratitude, when in reality the former spiritual quality is a correlative of the latter, and each, upon analysis, is found to be dependent upon the existence of the other for its own perfect expression. Webster defines gratitude thus: "State of being grateful; warm and friendly feeling toward a benefactor; kindness awakened by a favor received; thankfulness;" and appreciation as "a valuation or estimate; accurate perception; true estimation; ... due recognition of worth." From this we see that gratitude implies thankfulness for benefits received, for some good actually experienced, and the measure of our gratefulness may always be gauged by the benevolent activity which, in return for our blessings, we seek to express in our lives. Appreciation, on the other hand, refers to a spiritually correct appraisal or a scientifically accurate valuation of another person's action, accomplishment, or characteristic, which we, in our effort toward the attainment of perfection, may or may not have gained.
Appreciation may be spoken of as one of "the flowers of affection" (Science and Health, p. 57) that bloom in the soil of a grateful heart; for only he who is animated by the spiritual desire to offer unto God "the sacrifice of thanksgiving"—a life unqualifiedly dedicated to the service of God—is truly capable of the mental responsiveness and self-renunciation which discerns virtue in others and willingly, gladly renders "to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; ... honour to whom honour." Gratitude and appreciation are, therefore, spiritual concomitants; for he who is ungrateful to God for the blessings he has received, is, through this spiritual deficiency, incapable of experiencing spontaneous, real appreciation of goodness in others.
On the other hand, the one who professes thankfulness for benefits divinely bestowed upon him, and yet who coldly withholds appreciation or commendation of another's earnest achievement and success, is allowing his sense of gratitude to become limited and diverted from the understanding that God is expressed in man's spiritual activity,—the reflection of divine Love, Truth, and Life. Gratitude, to be genuine, must lose sight of self and blossom into that concentric affection which embraces in its appreciation all mankind and, recognizing good wherever manifested to be the emanation of the one Mind, infinite Love, rejoices impartially in another's spiritual capability, attainment, or merit.
