What is gratitude anyway?
- GratefulNeverRelapses
- Jan 1, 2023
- 6 min read
“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.”
― Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose
What is gratitude anyway? There are many definitions you can explore to try to identify and explain what gratitude is. The word itself comes from the Latin word, gratia, which translates to grace, influence, or thanks. When researching the definition, I found a few that appeared to embody what gratitude truly is. The dictionary defines gratitude simply as “the state of being grateful.” Pretty simple, yet also too simple, not really explaining the "feeling" of gratitude. It leaves you asking yourself, how would I even know if I am feeling grateful? I kept searching and found that the Harvard Medical School defined gratitude in much greater detail as "the thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible”. They further went on to describe that with gratitude, “people acknowledge the goodness in their lives and as a result, gratitude helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals -whether to other people, nature or a higher power." This definition gives us greater context, guiding us to understand and embrace what gratitude really is, as well as explaining why it is so important. It imparts the idea that we can truly "feel" gratitude and use it to connect with the goodness in our lives. Personally, I recognize this feeling within myself as a sense of ease, peace, and happiness. While others may sense it as a feeling of warmth and calm within or even visualize a color surrounding their heart offering them a feeling of fullness and contentment. Whichever way you may connect with the feeling of gratitude, the one common theme for all of us is, the positive impact it can have on our lives and the lives of others.
WHY Gratitude?
Gratitude has a powerful way of shifting one’s perspective from the glass being half empty, to one that is half full. Research supports that a gratitude practice has the power to shift our mindset. Some of the most powerful stories are the ones we tell ourselves, which is why tuning into those stories and taking agency to infuse them with gratitude is so important in shifting our mindset. I am often told that you will hear me say “mindset matters”, that’s because that is what I truly believe. Our mindset shapes the way we see the world around us and acts as our lens through which we respond to life’s ups and downs. When we pause and take a moment to reflect on what we are grateful for, it shifts our mindset towards the good which is present in our lives. One of my favorite definitions of mindfulness is being in the present moment without judgment. With all the challenges we face in our world today, it is often easy to start thinking too far into the future or maybe even dwell too far into the past, where it can a challenge to find gratitude. When we focus on being in the present moment without judgement, we allow ourselves to be open to receive what life has to offer. When we lean into the idea of being mindful, while staying present with some gratitude, it grants us the ability to come back to the here and now, come back to ourselves, and helps us to refocus on that glass being half full rather than half empty. So, take that intentional pause, think about what is right in this moment and open up to the joy it may bring you right now and you will likely find something to be grateful for.
The effects of gratitude have been researched for some time now, exploring the many positive impacts it has on your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health and wellness. When you remind yourself of what you are grateful for, you are essentially training your brain to focus on what you have rather than what you don’t. This practice allows you to lean into the more positive emotions rather than dwell on the negative ones. Dr. Judith T. Moskowitz, a psychologist at Northwestern University, has been studying gratitude trying to gain a greater understanding as to how a daily practice can increase positive emotions and reduce overall stress. In her research, she has found that by engaging in a gratitude practice, no matter how large or small, it helps us cope with stress, all while improving our overall mental, emotional, and physical wellness. Other studies have suggested that making a habit of noticing what is going well in your life can have significant health benefits. Research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) explored the positive impacts a daily gratitude practice can have on the body as well as our emotional state. They make reference to the impacts of stress and the mental, emotional, and physical implications it has on our bodies and how practicing gratitude can mitigate those. Another study indicates that individuals who embraced a gratitude practice showed fewer signs of heart disease.
So, with all that said, why not give it a try? Plus, practicing gratitude is FREE!
Ways to begin to incorporate Gratitude into your daily life...
The greatest challenge of beginning anything new can often be, wondering where to start. Hear me when I tell you, there is no wrong way to practice gratitude, it is as simple as just beginning. Gratitude is our ability to not only be thankful for what we have, but also to express appreciation for it. Here are a few ideas to help you get started in expressing a little gratitude in your daily life.
A Daily Gratitude Reflection - Spend a moment each day recounting the positive things in your life. They can be small, such as noticing a moment of peace and serenity in rainbow after the thunderstorm or feeling the energy and endorphins after a walk around the block, or maybe even the smell of the cool, crisp air. Notice what you are grateful for, big or small, just notice.
Gratitude Journaling – This is a powerful practice. In order to experience the benefits of this, it is important to be consistent. Whether you search for some gratitude journal prompts to get started, or simply reflect on a memory from the past and just write about it. Writing down what you are grateful for opens your heart to more happiness.
A Morning Gratitude Practice - As you wake each morning, identify 1-3 things you are grateful for in the present moment. Write them down on a sticky note or the note pad on your phone. It is always good to have it for reference if needed throughout the day.
Gratitude A-Z - Begin a Gratitude list using the alphabet. Each day identify one thing your grateful for that starts with one of the letters of the alphabet. You can go in order or pick a random letter each day to identify something your grateful for.
Start A Gratitude Jar - Find a container, maybe even a mason jar you have at home. At least once per week, or anytime you think of something, write it down and add it to the jar. Every so often, when you need to be reminded of what you are grateful for take some time to reflect on the notes you’ve added to the jar.
Atomic Gratitude - This is the practice of identifying something your grateful for right now, in this moment. Take a minute, pause, and take a breath. Where are you right now? If you’re at home for example and maybe in your kitchen, it's coming into the present moment, in that space and connecting with something you are grateful for. "I am grateful for the smell of freshly brewed coffee” or “I am grateful for the memories with family preparing meals." Try it and feel the power of atomic gratitude.
How will you try to add gratitude into your daily practice?
About Grateful Never Relapses
Welcome to a community where the belief and mindset is one in which recovery is possible for everyone! We believe that through gratitude, mindfulness, and awareness of all that is around us and within us, recovery is possible. When you shift your awareness to come from a place of gratitude, even in the most challenging or darkest of times, Grateful NEVER Relapses! The hope for this forum is to offer a brave and safe space to embrace your recovery journey with gratitude. We plan to share useful resources and tools to help you embody gratitude into your daily life. While we understand that everyone's journey is unique to them, we hope you are able to share in the power of gratitude in your own healing journey and realize the doors it may open and the walls it may take down, while recognizing and embracing the power of gratitude within!
References
Ackerman, C. (2017). What is gratitude and why is it so important? Retrieved from www.positivepsychology.com
Emmons, R. (2010). Why gratitude is good. Retrieved from www.greatergood.berkeley.edu
Practicing Gratitude, ways to improve positivity (2019,03). NIH News in Health, pg 3.
What a perfect launch to a much needed site! Proud of you and honored to be in your community of people who practice daily gratitude! Keep going…