What is Gratitude?

‘Tis the season to be grateful, thankful and blessed. But what does gratitude truly mean for you? Gratitude can mean something different to everyone. We can be grateful for our families, our homes, our careers, our faith, etc. We can be grateful for the amazing moments, the future opportunities and even the lousiest memories. It is the depth in which we feel thankful for someone or something, in which true gratitude is born.

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

What does Gratitude mean?

The Oxford Dictionary defines gratitude as, "the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and return kindness." Simply put, gratitude is both the intangible and the tangible appreciation one experiences through thankfulness.

Giving way to gratitude is something that happens through building of relationships and growing character. We may feel exceptionally grateful for a friend who stuck their neck out for us during a hard time or for the kind act of a complete stranger.

How do we practice Gratitude?

We may practice gratitude as an intentional act or because of a moment that catches us off guard. A few intentional practices include writing down 5 things you are grateful for every day or start a gratitude journal. Another great idea is to start a gratitude jar and write down every time you feel gratitude for something.

These are awesome ways to review the good times at a later date, like at the end of the year, to see all that you had to be grateful for. Simpler practices can be done like meditation. When you are stressed out take a moment to slow down and state some things that you are grateful for.

Taking the time to be present and thankful are the roots of gratitude. Let’s try a short practice right now – simply take your right hand and place it on your heart. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, focusing on the beat of your heart and the in/out flow of your breathing. Do this for as long or as little time as you want.

All it takes is that moment when you realize that the world around you becomes calm and your thoughts quiet. Did you notice you may feel grateful for the oxygen in your lungs? Or grateful for the beat of the heart in your chest? Maybe something else came to mind that you are thankful for at this moment. That my friends is gratitude and you just rocked it!

What are the benefits of Gratitude?

Practicing gratitude regularly can improve your physical and mental health. It can also enhance your empathy for others, improve your self-esteem and help improve your sleep.

According to Dr. Robert Emmons (2003), there are two stages of Gratitude:

Stage 1 - The acknowledgment of goodness in one’s life. In a state of gratitude, we affirm that life is good, and has elements that make worth living. The acknowledgment that we have received something gratifies us, both by its presence and by the effort the giver put into choosing it.

Stage 2 - Gratitude is recognizing that some of the sources of this goodness lie outside the self. One can be grateful to other people, to animals, and to the world, but never to oneself. In this stage, we recognize the goodness in our lives and who to thank for it.

Gratitude is a selfless act done without condition and in times of clarity. It can be contagious, like a pay-it-forward kind of act. Those that practice gratitude are known to have stronger self-control, elevated optimism and even a more positive mindset.

Once the world of gratitude is opened up to you it is almost impossible to go back. There are so many ways to learn about and practice gratitude that there is a fit for everyone. Start today with the breathing practice above or heck, even pay it forward by being kind to a stranger, etc. So, look around and take it all in and you may be surprised by all the things you notice you grateful for today.