Gratitude really is the bridge from a stress mindset to what I call a success mindset. But if you are in a deep level of stress, you are correct, don’t try to fake gratitude. You do need to acknowledge and accept your emotion, and then try to understand the real reason underlying it. When you are at a place where you can forgive, take responsibility, and even just cope with your situation, then gratitude can take you the next level where you see things from a totally different perspective. It is so effective that I use it with clients and groups who are stuck in a stress mindset. It’s almost a parlor trick, it works so well.