Gratitude 3.0: Reviving the Power of Appreciation
There are certain words that have been so extensively used that they have lost their impact and become mere hollow echoes. Regrettably, “gratitude” is one such word that has suffered this fate.
But what if we told you there’s a way to bring its power back? We are going to try.
But first, let’s take a trip down memory lane and see where gratitude came from.
Gratitude 1.0: A Timeless Virtue
Gratitude is as old as civilization itself. Ancient Greek philosophy and Confucian teachings both emphasized gratitude as a means to virtuous living and the cultivation of harmonious relationships.
Similarly, various religions, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, and Buddhism, place significant importance on gratitude in their teachings.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Think of Thanksgiving. Originating in the early colonial period of the United States, it began as a way for the Pilgrims to express gratitude for a bountiful harvest and the help they received from Native American tribes. Today, it is a secular holiday where people come together, share a meal, and express thanks for the blessings in their lives, transcending religious boundaries.
Gratitude 2.0: Contemporary Perspectives
In recent times, gratitude has experienced a resurgence, thanks in part to positive psychology and various practices such as gratitude journals, meditations and walks. Prominent researcher Dr. Robert Emmons has played a significant role in popularizing gratitude and highlighting its benefits, including increased happiness and reduced stress.
“Gratitude empowers us to take charge of our emotional lives and, as a consequence, our bodies reap the benefits.” — Dr. Robert Emmons
Furthermore, the advent of social media has propelled gratitude into the digital realm, while mobile apps make it even more convenient to incorporate gratitude practices into our daily lives. They often offer features such as gratitude journaling, guided meditations, reminders, and prompts.
Nevertheless, this rise in popularity has introduced a paradox: the very essence of gratitude, which emphasizes not taking things for granted, has itself been taken for granted. At times, people express gratitude simply for the sake of it, without genuine meaning or intention. Therefore, it is crucial to safeguard against gratitude becoming a shallow trend.
Gratitude 3.0: A Revolutionary Approach to Thankfulness
Gratitude 1.0 and 2.0 primarily focused on the act of expressing thanks, often without much thought about who’s on the receiving end. It was mostly about “I’m thankful for this” or “I’m grateful for that.”
It is time to redefine this approach.
In the era of Gratitude 3.0, we want every act of gratitude to have a sender and a recipient. It’s time to break free from our gratitude journals and bring thank-yous to life. We’re talking about building bridges between people’s hearts and souls, connecting the past with the present, and linking lessons learned to current achievements.
To make this happen, we’ve created Thank It Back. It’s a unique platform where you can send electronic Thank You Cards with captivating designs. It allows you to express gratitude to those who have profoundly impacted your life — those who have been there for you, inspired you, and challenged you.
We believe that saying thanks helps us realize how important we are to each other. It inspires kindness, humility, and tolerance while reminding us to choose our words and actions thoughtfully. With Thank It Back, we hope to inspire you and everyone around you to change lives for the better and support each other without expecting anything in return.
Stay updated on the latest developments by following us on Instagram. And remember to keep visiting this space as we delve deeper into the phenomenon of Gratitude 3.0. Brace yourself for a revolution of gratitude, dear friends!
