Gratitude Is Dangerous

Gratitude is a powerful spiritual practice. But, gratitude can also be used to avoid or distract from deeper truths. Renee talks about spiritual bi-pass and her many experiences with being grateful and ungrateful and how there is value in both.

Reviews

Thank you for this perspective and your story. Years ago I learned that gratitude and “feeling good” are not necessarily the same. I was a few years into my journey of sobriety and was debating getting out of a toxic marriage. I was full of doubt, fear, and shame and didn’t know what to do. I didn’t even want to talk to anyone for fear that the tears would start. As I was driving to a 12-Step meeting one evening, I glanced at the setting sun, and a question popped into my head: “You’re feeling misesable right now, but are you grateful?” The answer was a stunning yes. A couple of years before, I’d thrown my life away, and it was given back to me. But I’d been given ALL of life, the good and the bad. Even though my current state was emotionally difficult, my life and that day were still a gift. My gratitude was not dependent on how I felt. Eventually I left the marriage. I consider myself fairly (not always) grateful, but when the sadness and fear return, I have space at the table for them also, to be present with them. There is a certain freedom in not “should-ing” all over myself with the demand to feel happy all the time. It’s just not realistic. Thanks again.

I’ve used gratitude lists on and off again over the past thirty-forty years to boost my optimism. I felt enormous freedom when you said the quiet part out loud. The analogy about the cheap couch cover was a laugh out loud bonus. 🙏❤️

Thank you. I have often struggled with this, I am grateful for all my blessings but i am careful about being grateful for something that is actually holding me in a place that i don't want to be. When i consider this, i feel childhood frustration rise up. There was alot wrong with my childhood yet i was constantly told to be grateful. The analogy of the flea ridden couch with a new slip cover is perfect 🥰

Wonderful You expressed what I have felt for a long time,but as you point out, the popular culture around gratitude creates a pressure to conform. How refreshing to probe this with such honesty. Blessings and many thanks! 🙏

Love this. Humorous and insightful. Something to think about.