GRATITUDE FW 311 Transformers Becky Russell DEFINITION Gratitude

GRATITUDE FW 311 -Transformers Becky Russell

DEFINITION Gratitude noun (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 grateful. First 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>. • Mc. Cullough, 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). Personal. Pages. 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 wellbeing 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.