"I'm grateful. I'm happy. I'm proud of myself. I practice mindfulness. I'm optimistic. Do these mean the same thing? People often use them interchangeably, but definitions have consequences. When we blur them, we miss what's unique about gratitude-and we miss its power. Optimism may be slightly overrated, while gratitude deserves more airtime. In a recent paper, Nayoung Cho and I review various definitions of gratitude and argue that the 5As best capture it: Appreciation Attribution to External Sources Agentic Benefactors Affectionate Reaction Action"
"Gratitude involves appreciating the benefits in your life. Appreciation isn't just noticing that something good happened ("yes, this steak is delicious"). It includes a positive emotional connection to the benefit. Too often, we let goodness slip by like a shadow in the background. If you practice appreciation, you savor the good-delight in it, dwell on it, celebrate it. Gratitude also involves attributing your benefits to external sources-people, nature, luck, circumstances, God, or a higher power."
Optimism predicts a better future while gratitude produces a better present. Optimism works best when individuals have control or influence and falters when outcomes cannot be shaped by them. Overinvestment in optimism can direct energy toward chasing future possibilities at the expense of current blessings. Gratitude comprises five elements: appreciation; attribution to external sources; recognition of agentic benefactors; affectionate reaction; and action. Generalized gratitude combines appreciation and attribution, involving savoring benefits and acknowledging gifts from people, nature, luck, circumstances, or a higher power. Targeted gratitude adds attribution to intentional agents capable of benevolence. Tempering optimism with gratitude balances future hope with present appreciation.
Read at Psychology Today
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