Is your gratitude authentic?

Welcoming every day with gratitude. Finishing every day with gratitude. Is your gratitude authentic? ⁠⠀
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I notice this strange attitude we often have toward our own health and happiness, abundance and prosperity, in the West at least. (This makes it difficult to manifest our dreams.)⁠⠀
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Our happiness and prosperity is very often laden with:⁠⠀

• guilt, shame and denial (I shouldn't have it or don't deserve it, or I'm embarrassed because you are suffering), ⁠⠀
• lack of awareness and sensitivity (taking for granted, even oblivious), or ⁠
• self-glorification and entitlement (I deserve it, I'm special, expecting it to always be there).⁠⠀

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In all these cases there's a lack of gratitude. Denying health, happiness, abundance and prosperity is no better than gloating in it. ⁠⠀
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Today I'm reflecting on this in my own life. Where do I deny or take for granted? What does true gratitude feel like and when am I trying to manipulate the powers of the universe and karma?! wink wink! ⁠⠀
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Gratitude, for me, is a felt sense that touches my heart. It feels humble and heart-opening. It's like crying and laughing at the same time. It's a sense of awe and wonder, and a way of acknowledging the genius of the universe. ⁠⠀
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To manifest our dreams and prayers, the feeling of immense gratitude goes hand-in-hand with the confidence and trust that it is already so. ⁠⠀
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As Gregg Braden writes, "Note the ease and release that comes from the giving of thanks, rather than the longing and yearning that comes from asking for help!. The subtle difference between the ease and the longing is the power that sets asking apart from receiving." Extract from his book "Secrets of the lost mode of prayer"⁠⠀
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How does gratitude feel for you?