Steve Pavlina distinguishes between two different kinds of gratitude. In essence, more effective and more permanent gratitude is of this kind, e.g. thank you for being alive.

http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/gratitude/

I’ve got a mix of different types of gratitude here, in the future I’ll try focusing on the ‘Level 2’ type and see what that’s like. In the past I’ve written about ‘Level 1’ types because being more tangible they’re easier to identify.

Actually, I’m not sure that the things I’ve been thankful for are that temporary, e.g. even if mince pies disappeared forever I would still be appreciative of the fact that I’ve had them in the past.

I suppose the real take-home-value of Steve’s post is that it’s the spirit in which you offer gratitude that counts. It’s definitely easier to be more in tune with a more life-affirming spirit if you’re grateful for living than e.g. for being warm.

On the other hand, I’m freezing at the moment but that’s okay, I’m grateful not only to be alive, but to be able to feel (isn’t touch amazing?!) and to be safe and inside.

Hmm, will have to muse on this some more.

Kx