gratitude affects your attitude which determines altitude

Simply stated, being thankful is a shallow thing.  Much of what the Human Condition is quite shallow.  That is the set-up to only see the obvious.  The Soul is still gleaning from the Human Condition's ongoing experiences, but this does not mean the Human is progressing.

To be thankful is just a brush of the hand, a quick waive and forget it.

Gratitude comes from deep within a person.  It is near Soul and has the effect of neutralizing Darkness and those choices that would enter a dark path.  

Attributes of Gratitude show up as 

Respect

Acknowledgement 

Determination 

Loyalty 

Willingness to give of yourself.

Not wavering

Not being swayed

This aspect of Divine Love is not felt often.  Most Humans in their condition are too shallow to get to this deep aspect of Love.  Some people fleetingly can experience it but briefly only.

Long Term Gratitude has the effect to hold you in a higher state of awareness that attracts other aspects of Love to you.  Long Term is meant in years.  The intensity is not always present but that it can be brought up at any time no matter what you are doing.  You can use this attribute to illicit a response from a situation that can reveal the true nature of things.

Gratitude is stable and long lasting.  It can be gained by holding a correct idea or determination inside and allowing that to develop and show itself.  For example, holding in high esteem Soul and determining that Soul is truthful and helpful.  Gratitude can be an initiator of things to bring about a result.