The Act of Gratitude

Gratitude originates from the Latin word ‘gratia’ that could mean grace or thankfulness. Gratitude is a value which is ingrained into us as kids, a value which is given importance in every religion of the world.  

Hindus celebrate a number of festivals signifying the importance of gratitude. Guru Poornima is celebrated in gratitude to teachers, to those who have taught us skills and to all those from whom we have learnt something or who have shape our life.  

Harvest festivals like Pongal pay respect to the Sun God for helping us with a bounty harvest and also thank the rain, seeds, cattle and the farmers.  

The first chapter in Quran starts with the word ‘Alhamdulillah’ which translates into ‘all praise is for God’. Muslims often respond with ‘Alhamdulilah’ when asked how they are, to be grateful for all they have in life. “If you are grateful, I will certainly give your more” (14:7) talks about the importance of gratitude in life. Gratitude and disbelief are expressed as antonyms in the Quran highlighting that gratitude is one of the founding values of the religion.  

The concept of thankfulness in the New Testament comes from the use of two Greek words. The first is charizomai, which means ‘grace’. The second is homologeo, ‘to confess, acknowledge’, (Heb. 13:15). “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”(Thessalonians 5:18).

Similarly, religions like Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism speak about gratitude too. The traditional Japanese tea ceremony ‘Chado’ or the Way of Tea is founded on gratitude. Based on the Zen philosophy of Kei, it focuses on thankfulness. The people partaking in the ceremony appreciate the surroundings, company, taste and so on. It is a reminder to our connection with nature and to be grateful for it.  

What is it about gratitude

What is so special about gratitude that it has been spoken about, time and again for centuries in every part of the world? Dr. Robert A. Emmons of the University of California and Dr. Michael E. McCullough of the University of Miami have researched on the subject. They made three groups of participants; the first was made to write things they felt grateful for, the second was told to note down things that got them irritated and the third wrote about things that affected them (could be negative or positive). After 10 weeks, people who wrote about gratitude felt happier and were also physically healthier compared to the other groups.

Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania came to the same conclusion. Studies have also shown that having gratitude in close relationships improves them and brings happiness.

Research shows that when we are grateful, the parasympathetic part of the nervous system is triggered, decreasing cortisol levels and increasing oxytocin, the bonding hormone in relationships. Stress hormones are 23 percent lower in grateful people. The attitude of gratitude also reduces effects of aging of the brain.

Just a feeling of gratefulness within you can do wonders. A sense of satisfaction and happiness sets in. If we could express it to the person, the joy we feel spreads to the other person too, giving rise to positivity. Just closing our eyes and thinking of all those people who have helped us will make us less stressful and happier. The easiest way to develop gratitude is to pick your notebook and write a heartfelt thank you to all those people and things that have helped us and also thank for the very fact that we are alive and have the opportunity of experiencing life.