Gratitude can be viewed as a general mental state. Your appreciation for the things and people in your life is conscious. Small acts of appreciation like calling your best friend to express your gratitude are also examples of gratitude. It is an expression of thanks.
Gratitude has probably been discussed in relation to positivity, health, and wellbeing. It has developed into one of the pillars of mindful living and is a tool that many people use to find happiness, peace, and wellbeing.
Consider a person or something for which you are grateful. When you express gratitude for something or someone entering your life, think about whom you are thanking: perhaps God, the Universe, or some esoteric force you believe is keeping an eye on you. This is what Emmons means when he refers to external sources. When we are grateful, we express our appreciation for our blessings.
Gratitude is described by Emmons as "the emotion that strengthens relationships." It serves as a constant reminder that we are loved and supported by others, and that our expression of gratitude for them is an affirmation of that support. As a result, since we experience and express gratitude as an emotion, gratitude itself can be considered to be an emotion.
Finally, being grateful is similar to "passing the baton". This deed is referred to as "the moral memory of mankind" by sociologist Georg Simmel. This is related to the idea that when we express our gratitude to others, it encourages the energy of gratitude to pass from one person to the next. We are encouraged to keep the momentum of love going and "pass the baton" to someone else in the process. Simmel thinks that stronger relationships between people who expressed their gratitude to others are how gratitude has persisted over time.
You now understand what gratitude is, so why is it significant? Many studies in positive psychology have found a strong correlation between gratitude and increased happiness and joy. We can easily see how this theory applies if we believe that our thoughts shape our reality.
Consider something or somebody that makes you happy. Start paying attention to how your body is feeling when you think about that person or thing. You might experience intense feelings of excitement or a great sense of openness in your heart.
You feel thankful for that particular person or thing as a result of these physical sensations. You might even feel happier, more at ease, and lighter. This type of gratitude practise naturally increases happiness. When you are grateful, being happy comes naturally.
Now consider something or someone that is upsetting or hurting you. Even if the person or thing makes you feel badly, pay attention to how you feel. Do you experience any heavy feelings? Are your thoughts and feelings clouded by unfavourable feelings?
Concentrating on the negative results in increased negativity. Both nourish one another, just as being grateful increases happiness. Consequently, from a psychological standpoint, gratitude significantly influences our positivity and, consequently, our happiness.