In his work "The Screwtape Letters," C.S. Lewis highlights the different orientations of human emotions and desires. He distinguishes gratitude and love from negative emotions, suggesting that gratitude is rooted in appreciation for past experiences while love is focused on present connections. These positive feelings anchor individuals in the here and now, fostering deeper relationships and a sense of fulfillment.

Conversely, Lewis notes that fear, greed, lust, and ambition are future-oriented, often leading people to chase after unattainable goals or live in anxiety about what lies ahead. This forward-looking perspective can detract from the richness of present relationships and diminish appreciation for the past. Ultimately, Lewis encourages a mindset that values gratitude and love as essentials for a meaningful life, contrasting them with the distractions of negative emotions.