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The Importance of Gratitude
At this time of year, we are reminded of the importance of gratitude – the state of being thankful and being ready to show appreciation and kindness.
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According to Dr. Robert Emmons, the feeling of gratitude involves two stages (2003):
- First comes the acknowledgment of goodness in one’s life. In a state of gratitude, we say yes to life. We affirm that all in all, life is good- it has elements that make it worth living and is rich in texture. The acknowledgment that we have received something gratifies us, both by its presence and by the effort the giver put into choosing it.
- Second, 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. At this stage, we recognize the goodness in our lives and who to thank for it.
This description of gratitude moves gratitude from an action such as saying ‘thank you’ to an emotion as we see and name sources of goodness in our lives. The more we practice gratitude, the more it becomes of part of our ‘being’ and contributes to a positive mindset.
During the upcoming holiday season, practice gratitude by expressing thanks for and feeling grateful for the person who harvested the food you are eating, your co-worker for helping you with a task, your friends and family (biological and chosen), your pet who provides unconditional love, a beautiful sunset... the list goes on. Make a practice of gratitude now and it will stay with you well beyond this season.
PositivePsychology.com | What is Gratitude and Why Is It So Important?
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