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Home:
New Science of Happiness: Attitude
of Gratitude
An Attitude of Gratitude
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| Gratitude
is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic. - John Henry Jowett |
What is Gratitude?
Gratitude is expressing thanks for gifts we have received. According to Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary, the word gratitude comes from the Latin words:- gratia
- meaning favor, charm, and thanks, and
- gratus
- meaning pleasing and grateful.
These Latin words are similar to the Sanskrit word gmati meaning he praises. Gratitude is a basic human emotion. It is expressed in some way by all ancient and modern cultures. According to Dr. Robert Emmons, a leading gratitude researcher and author of the book thanks!, the idea of receiving a gift is central to the concept of gratitude. While merely appreciating something for its positive qualities does have a positive impact on our lives and emotions, gratitude takes then next step beyond. Gratitude happens when we go beyond just appreciating something to acknowledging that we have received a gift that we did nothing to earn or deserve. On some level, the warm emotional rush we feel when we really feel gratitude is very like the glow we feel from realizing we are unconditionally loved.
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| The glow of gratitude is like the warm emotional rush we feel from realizing we are unconditionally loved. |
The feeling of Gratitude like living in a state of grace. One definition of Grace, ( Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionaryis unmerited divine assistance given humans for their resurrection and regeneration. In short, grace is our response to feeling loved unconditionally by God. When we practice an attitude of gratitude we are practicing feeling loved.
The Power of Gratitude
New research shows that practicing gratitude may be the fastest single pathway to happiness, health, long life, and prosperity. In a remarkable study performed by Dr. Emmons, people who kept a gratitude journal for just 3 weeks measured 25% higher on life satisfaction after wards. They exercised more, drank alcohol less, and their families and friends noticed that they were nicer to be around. And the effects lasted for several months beyond the initial 3 week study. Other studies on gratitude are confirming these results. People who take the time to notice and appreciate the good things that come their way through grace, or luck, or the goodness of others are happier and more peaceful. They do better on cognitive tests and tests of problem solving skills. They practice healthier habits, have better relationships, are more optimistic and live longer. Gratitude is one powerful emotion.
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The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our
blessings.
Eric Hoffer |
Cultivating Gratitude
So how to we develop an attitude of gratitude? If you are worried that such a powerhouse of happiness and success must come with a high price, fear not. It turns out that developing gratitude is surprisingly easy. Here are 5 proven methods:- Keep a gratitude Journal.
Every day or so, write about the good things that happened to you that
day. You do not need a special format or to keep to any special
schedule, although the people in the study who got such great results
used the journal daily for 3 weeks.
- Write a letter of appreciation.
Express
your gratitude to people who have helped you, particularly
those who have helped you without special reward like teachers and
nurses. We are touched by others everyday.
- Make a gratitude visit.
You can express your gratitude in person even more powerfully than in a
letter. Gratitude is such a powerful emotion for both the giver and
receiver, you may find writing the letter first helps you get your
thoughts in order and deliver your message more effectively.
- Make a gratitude list.
This can often be a quick pick-me-up. Set a goal of listing 100 things
you have to be grateful for, then keep adding to your list until you
reach that number. Some days it is hard to get started, but persistence
pays as the longer list pushes us to examine our blessings more deeply
- Take a gratitude walk.
This method works a little like the list in that you have a set time
period- your walk- to focus on deepening your gratitude. Many people
find the movement and variety of a walk help the brain and heart to
work better.
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| Grace and
gratitude go together like heaven and earth.
Karl
Barth
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Attitude of Gratitude
Whatever method you choose, there are quick and easy ways to develop more gratitude. How fortunate for us that this powerhouse of happiness and success is so easy to get. So take the time to develop an attitude of gratitude and you can enjoy a happier life now.
Appreciation Letter Template
Where is the Love? How to Feel Loved More Often with this Gratitude Practice
Gratitude Day
Gratitude Quotes
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