GRATITUDEFW 311-Transformers

Becky Russell

DEFINITION

Gratitudenoun (\ˈgra-tə-ˌtüd, -ˌtyüd\): a feeling of appreciation or thanks:  the state of being grateful :  thankfulness

• Examples of GRATITUDE

Let me express my sincere gratitude for all your help.

We remember with gratitude those who died defending our country.

• Origin of GRATITUDE

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin gratitudo, from Latin gratus gratefulFirst Known Use: 1523

COMPONENTS OF GRATITUDE

Appreciation of:• People

• Possessions

• The present moment

• Rituals

• Feeling of awe

• Social comparisons

• Existential concerns

• Behavior

EXPRESSIONS OF GRATITUDE

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of the virtues but the parent of all others.“

-Cicero

PRODUCTS OF GRATITUDE

• Higher levels of subjective well-being

• Shift in perception from the self to others

• Happier, less depressed, less stressed, and more satisfied with their lives and social relationships

• Higher levels of: control of their environments, personal growth, purpose in life, and self acceptance

• Better sleep: Seems to be because grateful people think less negative and more positive thoughts just before going to sleep

HOW TO BE MORE GRATEFUL

• 1. Keep a Daily Calendar of Gratitude (start to remember the little things)

• 2. Mark Anniversaries with Milestones (letting others know how much they mean to you)

• 3. Share Gratitude at the Dinner Table (communicate with those close to you and feed off each other’s positivity)

• 4. Express your Thankfulness for the Hard Stuff (what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger)

HOW TO BE MORE GRATEFUL

• 5. Thank the People behind the Service ( i.e. waiters, clerks, and janitors; acknowledging others’ behavior and attitude)

• 6. Write a Letter of Gratitude (to a person who’s impacted you a lot)

• 7. Start Time with friends with celebrations not complaining (spreading positivity)

• 8. Say “Thank You” for the Mundane (not taking little things like food, a job, or family for granted)

• 9. Appreciate a Force Bigger than Yourself (whether it be gravity or God)

SOURCES

• "Gratitude." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gratitude>.

• McCullough, M. E., Emmons, R. A., & Tsang, J. (2002). The grateful disposition: A conceptual and empirical topography. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82, 112-127.

• Wood, A. M., Joseph, S., & Maltby, J. (2008). PersonalPages.Manchester.ac.uk, Gratitude uniquely predicts satisfaction with life: Incremental validity above the domains and facets of the Five Factor Model. Personality and Individual Differences, 45, 49-54.

• Kashdan, T.B., Uswatte, G., & Julian, T. (2006). Gratitude and hedonic and eudaimonic well-being in Vietnam War veterans. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44, 177-199.

• Wood, A. M., Joseph, S. & Maltby (2009). Gratitude predicts psychological well-being above the Big Five facets. Personality and Individual Differences, 45, 655-660.

• Mahar, M. 9 New Ways to Practice Gratitude. Stratejoy. 2014. Web.