One practice I’ve come to be wary of is gratitude for material objects. Here is a table comparing the “return” of regular gratitude for different objects, immaterial and material.
| Object | Thought | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Career Opportunity | “Software is such an amazing tool. I can just learn things and produce value in the world with almost no tangible assets.” | I learn something new, increasing my value as a worker by $10k. |
| Deep Friendships | “Many people don’t have anyone they can call in the middle of the night, and I have several. I love my friends. I should call them and let them know.” | I call my friends and have meaningful conversations with them. |
| My Phone | “Many of the smartest humans on earth dedicate their lives to optimizing every bit of hardware and software that goes into this thing.” | I wait another year to upgrade and save $200. |
Measured in dollars or emotional well-being, it seems like thinking about 1 & 2 yield more than 3, while having a similar short-term emotional effect.