The simplest definition of gratitude is being thankful for all you have and also being able to show appreciation readily to the people who deserve it. Melody Beatie quotes “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.” This is true because in times of hardship, stress, joy or happiness, gratitude has the power to lift our spirits even higher. In return, this fosters contentment, strengthens bonds and breeds fulfillment.
Table Of Content
Gratitude can be expressed in many forms: written or verbal gratitude, behavioral gratitude, internal or shared gratitude, spiritual gratitude, and other ways. In this article, we are going to discuss the major kinds of expressing gratitude with real-life case studies.
1. Spiritual Gratitude
Different religious affiliations encourage their congregations to make gratitude a part of their daily routine. Some express it through singing, prayer, offerings, and many other ways.
Example: A person can start their day by thanking Allah for a calm night, for life, health, and a prayer for a wonderful, fruitful day ahead.
This form of gratitude breeds connection with a higher power, which in return fosters confidence in going about your day as you believe Allah is gonna get you through.
2. Verbal Gratitude
As you all know, the most popular kind of gratitude is verbal gratitude, i.e, saying it out loud. The most popular phrase used is “Thank you”. This simple phrase has the power to change a person’s mood and feelings about themselves and their work.
Example: A patient, after being treated late in the night at a hospital, said “Thank you for your time and care” to the lead doctor. This short, precise statement lifted the doctor’s spirit to execute and increased his productivity for the day as the statement fostered resilience in him and reminded him of why he started.
3. Written Gratitude
Sometimes, the gratitude message may be harder to deliver verbally. Hence, an option to write a gratitude note, email, or a WhatsApp message. The key benefit of this method is that the recipient can refer to your message for encouragement.
Example: In my Form Six, I wrote a thank-you email to my teachers for not giving up on me. 4 years later, I met one of my teachers, and he reminded me of the note and that he truly appreciates it.
4. Behavioral Gratitude
This kind of gratitude involves the use of actions and not words to show our appreciation. It can be expressed through simple acts of service, thoughtful gestures, or returning the favour.
Example: When Michael joined University, Shariff, a third year student gave him a tour around the campus showing him all the key spots that he needs like the toilets, library, lecture rooms, and many others. On Shariff’s birthday, Michael surprised him with a trip to Zanzibar since it was his dream destination.
What makes behavioral Gratitude powerful is it involves time and energy, hence strengthens bonds.
5. Internal Gratitude
Not all forms of gratitude are outward. Internal gratitude is inward. It is the kind we practice with ourselves. It involves thanking oneself for showing up, for the resources we have, the goals we are working towards, appreciating our environment, friends who check on us, and many other personal ways. This can be expressed through gratitude journaling and mindfulness.
Example: At the end of each day, I write down everything I am grateful for throughout the day in my journal. This helps me appreciate my blessings as I push further with my goals and personal development journey.
Conclusion
In the above article, we have discussed the various ways different people express gratitude. All methods are valid and as much important as one. Gratitude strengthens bonds, reduces stress and breeds satisfaction. All these in return are players in personal and growth development. We should all master the art of gratitude on our paths to greatness. How have you been practicing gratitude? Share with us in the comment section below.
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