[195] Jung at Harp

Jung at Harp | Episode: Real Gratitude Isn’t Perfect — It’s Whole

In this reflective solo episode of Jung at Harp, harpist-composer Deborah Henson-Conant explores a powerful Jungian idea: that real gratitude is not about being cheerful, positive, or spiritually “perfect.” It’s about holding the full truth of who we are—our light and our shadow—at the same time. Drawing from personal insight, musical storytelling, and Jungian themes, Deborah unpacks why forcing gratitude while ignoring harder feelings can leave us feeling incomplete, and how embracing conflicting emotions can actually deepen our sense of wholeness.

Starting with the question, “Can you be grateful and angry at the same time?” Deborah guides listeners into a deeper understanding of gratitude as a relationship with the self, not a performance. She shares how acknowledging both gifts and wounds allows musicians, creators, and humans to live—and create—from a more grounded, authentic place.

This episode invites you to reflect on:

• Why genuine gratitude includes both positive and difficult emotions • How suppressing anger or sadness can block real connection and creativity • The difference between “toxic positivity” and true emotional presence • How Jung’s concept of the shadow helps us embrace the parts we often avoid • Why honoring all your feelings strengthens your creative voice • How musicians can use emotional honesty to deepen expression and improvisation • Why gratitude becomes more powerful when it makes room for complexity • What it means to build a relationship with your whole self—not just the “good” parts

Why listen? If you’ve ever felt pressure to “just be grateful” even when you’re hurting, angry, or overwhelmed, this episode offers relief and clarity. Deborah shows how real gratitude isn’t about perfection—it’s about wholeness. When you say yes to your entire experience, your creativity expands, your music deepens, and your inner life becomes more honest and alive. This episode is an invitation to let gratitude be real, grounded, and human—woven from all the parts of you, not just the polished ones.