Gratitude can’t be forced; there’s a difference between being polite and being truly grateful. It’s never wrong to be honest about not being truly grateful (though some may think it impolite to express it).
True gratitude is actually the secret to happiness. Almost all my angst comes from comparison; comparing myself to others, or to where i think i should be, or what I should have done. Gratitude is about looking at what you have. I have problems of abundance; that is, my problems don’t come from not having enough to eat or not having a roof over my head.
Anyway sounds like you’ve got a lot to be grateful for. Thanks for the great essay.
I've seen a lot of writing this year about holding gratitude alongside something else - anger/frustration/sadness etc. So much of what you write here resonates so strongly for me as a creative with privilege I am able to acknowledge but also the truths of being a middle-aged woman who doesn't want to be grateful for scraps.
I appreciate the points made and your verbiage.
I felt like I was reading a work of art.
They don't make those onion chips anymore, at my 'local' and I continue to be bummed out by this.
Gratitude can’t be forced; there’s a difference between being polite and being truly grateful. It’s never wrong to be honest about not being truly grateful (though some may think it impolite to express it).
True gratitude is actually the secret to happiness. Almost all my angst comes from comparison; comparing myself to others, or to where i think i should be, or what I should have done. Gratitude is about looking at what you have. I have problems of abundance; that is, my problems don’t come from not having enough to eat or not having a roof over my head.
Anyway sounds like you’ve got a lot to be grateful for. Thanks for the great essay.
I do. And thank you!
I've seen a lot of writing this year about holding gratitude alongside something else - anger/frustration/sadness etc. So much of what you write here resonates so strongly for me as a creative with privilege I am able to acknowledge but also the truths of being a middle-aged woman who doesn't want to be grateful for scraps.
It's such a double-edged sword, isn't it?
Absolutely. Thank you for articulating it.