The Foundation: The Definition of Grateful
These definitions are correct. However, they are the definitions in a skeleton format. They are correct, but they lack the meat,
blood, and spirit of the definitions. While these definitions are a good starting point, to better understand the definition, we need to examine it more deeply.
The Etymology: a Gift and the Ability to Receive Such
The word grateful has a very beautiful history. The word is of Latin origin, and comes from the word “gratus”, which means pleasing, thankful. The family of this word also includes the following:
- “Grace”, which refers to the favor of a divinity.
- “Gratuity”, which refers to a tip given for service, which is essentially a gift for thanks.
- “Congratulate”, which refers to to share in the pleasure of someone’s fortune.
- “Agreeable”, which means pleasing.
This is an important definition to work through. We can pull gratitude to these three terms: grace and gift.
To have the greatest form of appreciation for something is to have the deepest sense of being grateful. We have many forms of gifts in our life; our possessions, the love that is given to us, and the air we breath. Most gifts are given to us as they are not things we actively work for.
They are simply given to us. With this, we can pull the reality to have gratitude and the connection to the world.
Grateful vs. Thankful: Understanding the Key Difference
The terms grateful and thankful, are most of the time used in the same context. The reality is, they are completeness of appreciation. This imbalance of understanding is the most important explanation of what grateful means.
Thankfulness is frequently brief and reactionary to a particular occurrence. It is the most basic form of recognition for something positive that has taken place.
- Example: If you are holding the door for someone, they might say, “Thank you.” They are referencing a singular action. It is a brief exchange of appreciation.
Gratitude is a state of mind that is of an even deeper nature than this.
It is an attitude an individual has toward life as a whole, and does not necessarily require a particular stimulus to be present. Detriments may still be present in a person’s life, however,
they can sustain a sense of gratitude through their attention to the integral iles of life.
- Example:
- Experiencing challenges may put you in a place of appreciation,
- embracing what you have in terms of health, a supportive friend, or even the learning moments. This appreciation is not about a moment but the overall essence of your life.
In essence
- Thankfulness is the emotion you have when you receive the order you have made as it was supposed to be
- Gratefulness is the level of appreciation you have for the value of foods accompanied by the ability to purchase it, the hand that crafted the crops, and the system that is trained to break down foods.
People being reactive to a situation is what thankfulness is. While acting proactively shows an attitude of gratefulness.
The Anatomy of a Grateful Mind: The Three Core Components
In order to get the true value of the word grateful, we must first break the word down into three main parts.
1. Recognition: The Act of Noticing the Good
This step is the foundation. You cannot be grateful about something until you notice something. In fast paced,
sometimes stressful lifestyles, we ignore a lot of good things. The practice of gratitude begins first with noticing the good things in our life, large and small.
Examples could be the warmness of a coffee cup, a car that runs well, or a stranger that smiles.
2. Acknowledgement: Understanding the Source
As we recognize the good things in our life, gratitude must prompt us to recognize where such things are coming from.
This step is the humbling realization that such goodness is a result of something, and you did not cause it to happen. The source could be:
- Another person: it could be a friend, family member, co-worker, or a nice person that you do not know.
- Nature: the sun that is shining and warming the place up, or the rain that is helping to grow plants.
- A higher power: It can be God, the Universe, Spirit, a divine order, or simply just a higher order that exists in life.
- Circumstance:
- Lucky series of events leading to success.
Recognition of circumstance shifts thinking from “this is due to me” to “this is due to me.”
3. Appreciation: The Heartfelt Emotional Response
Last portion is the emotional core of gratitude.
It is the feeling that shows warmth and joy and deep satisfaction from the recognition and acknowledgement of gift. It is not
something that is forced or polite. It is honest. It is the difference of speaking “thank you” with mechanics versus speaking it with true wave of connection and joy directed towards the giver or situation.
The Science of Gratitude: Why the Best Definition Includes Well-being
Psychology of the present has been supporting what has been known by philosophers, spiritualists, and thinkers,
that being grateful is not a simple feeling, there is a lot that comes with it and it is a very powerful tool. The best defintion of being grateful, therefore,
should involve the well-being aspects of this powerful feeling.
Psychological Benefits:
- Increases Happiness.
- There is a lot to support this claim. There is a lot of research that shows practicing gratitude has been shown to reduce feelings of envy and resentment and increase satisfaction from life and happiness.
Mental Benefits:
- Cuts Down Depression and Anxiety:
- Depression and anxiety are closely tied to negative thought patterns, and gratitude pulls your focus from depression and anxiety and negative thought patterns to the positive.
- Improved Resilience:
- Stress and trauma are challenges grateful people encounter more effortlessly. With the ability to focus on the silver linings, helpful lessons, and brighter side of the situations, people can get through challenges more easily.
- Strengthens Relationships: Social bonds and trust are built and deepened when someone appreciates and values another person’s gratitude.
Physical Benefits:
- Better Sleep: Just 5 minutes of gratitude journaling before sleeping can improve sleep quality and duration as it relaxes the nervous system.
- Improved Immunity: More positive people tend to have more robust immune systems, because immunity and positive outlook are connected.
- Lower Blood Pressure: The relaxed state that is often achieved with gratitude can lead to improved cardiovascular health.
When we understand being grateful also promotes healing and rewires the brain, we realize the emotional state of being grateful is more than just an emotional state – it is an integral part of healthy living.
How to Nurture a Grateful Life: From Learning to Doing
Knowing the meaning of the word grateful isn’t enough, you need to learn how to live it. Practicing gratefulness should be a daily habit,
and like any habit, it should be done consistently. Below are a few helpful tips to help you do just that.
Write a Gratitude Journal
This method is probably the most popular suggestion, and for good reason. Every day, write 3 to 5 things that you are grateful for.
Try and avoid large scale, vague entries such as “my family.” Rather, try and be specific:
“I am grateful for the way my daughter laughed until she cried at dinner.” This is a good technique to train your mind to remember the positive things in life. It also reminds you to be grateful.
Practice Mindfulness and Savoring
Gratitude exists in the present moment. Mindfulness meditation trains the brain to focus on the “now.” As you go on with your day,
consciously try to savor positive experiences, such as the taste of your meal, the feeling of the sun on your skin, or the comfort of your bed.
Take a moment to pause and say mentally, “This is a gift. I am grateful for this.”
Perform Acts of Kindness
Gratitude is not meant to be locked away in a vault. The natural overflow of a grateful heart is the willingness to give. When you do a kind deed,
you are the source of the gift for someone. This in turn strengthens your own feelings of abundance and connectedness,which deepens your grateful feelings.
Use Visual Reminders
Often, our surroundings pull us back into a state of lack and complaint. Put visual hints to be grateful around you, like a sticky note on your bathroom mirror, a screensaver on your phone, or a rock in your pocket. When you see these,
and let them prompt you to appreciate something in that moment. Reframe Challenges With Gratefulness
This might seem a bit advanced for some but it is a very powerful technique as well. When faced with a challenge ask yourself:
- What is this situation supposed to teach me?
- What ways is this making me stronger?
- Is there at least 1 thing I can be thankful for in this situation?
This doesn’t mean to ignore the hardships and pretend like everything is fine. This is a mindset where you try to look for the possible growth and benefits you can gain.
Conclusion: Grateful At Is A State of Being
What is the best definition of grateful?
It is not a feeling and is not meant to be a single word description. The best definition of the word grateful is a chosen perspective of a life.
It’s a definition that not only describes a lifestyle but a lifestyle that embraces all that this life has to offer. It goes beyond ourselves and includes everyone else. It is the constant appreciation of the gifts of life.
The gift of life is the heart of the message. To be grateful is to appreciate life as it exists. It is to appreciate all the light in the world as well as all the darkness.
It is to appreciate the miracle of life and all the things in it as well as the small wonderful things like water. It’s a life full of connection and wonder.
When we wholeheartedly practice gratitude, we elevate our own moods and contribute to spreading positivity, kindness, and deep appreciation that can change our lives and those around us in powerful and meaningful ways.
This journey can begin with a simple question: ‘What can I appreciate in this moment?’
