GRATITUDE DEFINITION:Thankfulness; feeling grateful or appreciative PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Eyes that are soft and filled with an inner glow Clasping another’s hand or forearm Tapping a loose fist against the chest Placing a hand on the chest Tearing up Laying a hand on one’s heart, then gesturing to a person or group Pressing fingers to smiling lips Repeating one’s thanks and appreciation Holding onto someone’s hand for longer than necessary Hugging and showing affection A light squeeze during a handshake A smile that has a genuine build and lights up the face Steady eye contact SayingThank you Moving into another’s personal space, or welcoming others into one’s own Forming a steeple with the hands and pressing them to one’s lips Offering praise for others An emotion-rich voice Offering small touches to connect with others Laying a hand on someone’s back or shoulder Nodding, the eyes glowing Offering a gift, favor, or boon of appreciation Raising one’s palms to the sky and looking up Complimenting others Clapping vigorously The body and feet pointing forward Offering a wave or two-fingered salute Tipping the head back for a moment and closing the eyes Bowing or curtseying Blowing a kiss Offering a wave of thanks Needing to pause or swallow to rein in one’s emotion before speaking Vowing to repay the responsible party in time INTERNAL SENSATIONS: Tingling warmth in the limbs A release of all bodily tension A feeling of expansion in the chest A heart that feels full A comfortable warmth in the face Weakness in the knees MENTAL RESPONSES: Desiring to repay another’s kindness and support Feeling overwhelmed in a good way Wanting to drink in the moment, to remember this feeling forever A desire to celebrate others and make them feel special, too ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Worship Falling to one’s knees A desire to do anything to repay the responsible party Joyful tears A feeling of connection and love SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Closing the eyes Ducking the head to hide one’s expression Avoiding eye contact with others Quick, darting glances to express a hidden thanks Offering a distraction or changing the subject Clearing the throat before speaking (to steady one’s tone) MAY ESCALATE TO:Satisfaction,Peacefulness,Happiness,Elation,Connectedness MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Overwhelmed,Uncertainty,Vulnerability,Confusion ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Appreciate, beam, bow, cherish clasp, envelop, evoke, express extend, hug, include, meet nod, offer, overflow, profess promise, radiate, reach, rise select, share, shine, squeeze swallow, tap, thank, touch voice, warm, whisper WRITER’S TIP:Make it a goal to offer the reader something unexpected in every scene, be it an emotional reaction, a roadblock to trip the character up, or a snippet of dialogue that sheds new light on the events unfolding.