Mind-based and Experience-based Gratitude
The popular "attitude of gratitude" movement is mind-based. It's based on what we tell ourselves and our own mental images. However, this does not diminish the fact that we can still feel the emotion of gratitude in response to our self-talk and mental images. We can.
Experience-based gratitude is our spirit's response to our in-the-world interactions with others who meet our needs and fulfill our desires that we cannot do for ourselves. Again, it's our spirit's response to having an itch on our back scratched, a flat tire changed, a bill paid, a meal provided, an organ donated, CPR provided, or any other need met that we could not meet for ourselves.
Life-denying and Life-Affirming Gratitude
It is difficult for me to imagine instances of either mind-based or experience-based gratitude that are life-denying. At this time it seems to me that both kinds of gratitude affirm our own life and the lives of others. However, the matter is not settled. I believe more observation and research is warranted.
Gratitude Suppressed, Addressed, Expressed (Directly and Indirectly)
While I cannot imagine instances when feelings of gratitude would need to be address due to being life-denying, perhaps there are times when social mores dictate that we suppress or indirectly express our gratitude. In my opinion, the more open, honest and free our expressions of gratitude, the better.
In my view, a world with more gratitude is a better world.
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