Ok, thought of sharing this came last night as in bed… I think I kinda get it better now, via observation of direct experience…

So there’s been some pretty deep emotional waves lately (with mind tempted to think “depression”)… and I observed this very clear distinction of one’s end yesterday. Previous day, hot damn those lows… then yesterday, though there was some muck to trek through first, came the fresh breath of relief - not a polarity of extreme as a peak or positive spike, but just more a sorta neutral clarity as recognizing that the low of the prior day’s wave had passed. And there, was the choice/distinction point you wrote of…

Like, the presence to appreciate the moment for what it was (which also included an appreciation for the whole wave, its experience & lessons, etc)… or that option to frame it via the “gratitude” outlook, as though more like “omg thank God that’s over now.” Definitely quite subtle & nuanced, but for sure different.

And putting this into writing now feels to be evoking yet more clarity on how that appreciation frequency is really one that is much more of/in the present moment - here & now. Whereas the gratitude option still had/has that one foot in the past (in a way that’s not complete with full, neutral acceptance - versus the appreciation potentially still acknowledging the past, but more with an energy of honorance of it).

Surely, there are an indefinite amount of examples, and everyone’s experience different - could see where it becomes a matter of semantics in some cases, with people saying “gratitude” for what you meant by “appreciation” at times; though this one yesterday helped me grasp the essence of your perspective better.

Much appreciate you sharing it. ☺️💖