GRATITUDE FW 311-Transformers Becky Russell

DEFINITION Gratitude noun (\ ˈ gra-tə- ˌ tüd, - ˌ tyüd\) : 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 McCullough, M. E., Emmons, R. A., & Tsang, J. (2002). The grateful disposition: A conceptual and empirical topography. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82, 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, Kashdan, T.B., Uswatte, G., & Julian, T. (2006). Gratitude and hedonic and eudaimonic well-being in Vietnam War veterans. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44, Wood, A. M., Joseph, S. & Maltby (2009). Gratitude predicts psychological well- being above the Big Five facets. Personality and Individual Differences, 45, Mahar, M. 9 New Ways to Practice Gratitude. Stratejoy Web.