An Attitude of Gratitude: A Powerful Source of Happiness

Lacking inspiration for a topic to write about, I Googled 'grace gratitude research' for a topic. This article was worthy of being copied whole.

From http://www.happylifeu.com/Attitude-of-Gratitude.html

Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic. John Henry Jowett

Scientists are finding that an attitude of gratitude is a powerful contributor to a happy life. Some believe that it may be the single most effective way to increase happiness. In this article, we explore what it means to have gratitude, the power of gratitude and ways of cultivating gratitude.

What is Gratitude? Gratitude is expressing thanks for gifts we have received. According to Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary, the word gratitude comes from the Latin words:

gratia meaning favor, charm, and thanks, and gratus meaning pleasing and grateful.

These Latin words are similar to the Sanskrit word gmati meaning he praises. Gratitude is a basic human emotion. It is expressed in some way by all ancient and modern cultures. According to Dr. Robert Emmons, a leading gratitude researcher and author of the book thanks!, the idea of receiving a gift is central to the concept of gratitude. While merely appreciating something for its positive qualities does have a positive impact on our lives and emotions, gratitude takes then next step beyond. Gratitude happens when we go beyond just appreciating something to acknowledging that we have received a gift that we did nothing to earn or deserve. On some level, the warm emotional rush we feel when we really feel gratitude is very like the glow we feel from realizing we are unconditionally loved.

The glow of gratitude is like the warm emotional rush we feel from realizing we are unconditionally loved.

The feeling of Gratitude like living in a state of grace. One definition of Grace is unmerited divine assistance given humans for their resurrection and regeneration. In short, grace is our response to feeling loved unconditionally by God. When we practice an attitude of gratitude we are practicing feeling loved.

New research shows that practicing gratitude may be the fastest single pathway to happiness, health, long life, and prosperity. In a remarkable study performed by Dr. Emmons, people who kept a gratitude journal for just 3 weeks measured 25% higher on life satisfaction after wards. They exercised more, drank alcohol less, and their families and friends noticed that they were nicer to be around. And the effects lasted for several months beyond the initial 3 week study. Other studies on gratitude are confirming these results. People who take the time to notice and appreciate the good things that come their way through grace, or luck, or the goodness of others are happier and more peaceful. They do better on cognitive tests and tests of problem solving skills. They practice healthier habits, have better relationships, are more optimistic and live longer. Gratitude is one powerful emotion.

The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings. Eric Hoffer

Cultivating Gratitude

So how to we develop an attitude of gratitude? If you are worried that such a powerhouse of happiness and success must come with a high price, fear not. It turns out that developing gratitude is surprisingly easy. Here are 5 proven methods:

1. Keep a gratitude Journal. Every day or so, write about the good things that happened to you that day. You do not need a special format or to keep to any special schedule, although the people in the study who got such great results used the journal daily for 3 weeks.

2. Write a letter of appreciation. Express your gratitude to people who have helped you, particularly those who have helped you without special reward like teachers and nurses. We are touched by others everyday.

3. Make a gratitude visit. You can express your gratitude in person even more powerfully than in a letter. Gratitude is such a powerful emotion for both the giver and receiver, you may find writing the letter first helps you get your thoughts in order and deliver your message more effectively.

4. Make a gratitude list. This can often be a quick pick-me-up. Set a goal of listing 100 things you have to be grateful for, then keep adding to your list until you reach that number. Some days it is hard to get started, but persistence pays as the longer list pushes us to examine our blessings more deeply

5. Take a gratitude walk. This method works a little like the list in that you have a set time period- your walk- to focus on deepening your gratitude. Many people find the movement and variety of a walk help the brain and heart to work better.

Attitude of Gratitude

Whatever method you choose, there are quick and easy ways to develop more gratitude. How fortunate for us that this powerhouse of happiness and success is so easy to get. So take the time to develop an attitude of gratitude and you can enjoy a happier life now.