The Secret For A Happy Life

It might sound trite or like a cliche, but it works: this one practice has the potential to chase the blues away and cause the sun to shine even during the bleakest seasons.

The practice or attitude is gratitude. Having traveled to many different countries of the world and many parts of our nation, I see much more clearly how fortunate and blessed we are. These travels, and life itself, have taught me that I have so many things to be thankful for.

Without writing myself reminders and the like, it has become natural for gratitude to fill my heart when I go to my refrigerator, use the dispenser in the door to get cubed ice, fill my glass and enjoy clean, ice cold water whenever I want.

It has become more natural for me to remain undisturbed in rush hour or slow moving traffic because I'm not walking and am grateful for that and that I own a car - two cars and a motorcycle.

Life is good. I had a hot shower this morning, slept in an air conditioned home last night and just enjoyed a late lunch that included fresh veggies from a friends garden.

I drove through a fast food drive up window last night and enjoyed an ice cream cone. Life is good.

My health is good where at one time it wasn't. Life is good. I can come and go as I please. Life is good. I have more food than I need and share the plenty with so many who are in need. Life is good.

Gratitude is the attitude that helps open our eyes to the many, many blessings that we sometimes overlook. The more blessings we are able to see and count helps us to understand how fortunate and blessed we are in comparison to how so many millions who are getting by on a small fraction of what we enjoy.

Today and every day I take inventory of what is good and right in my life. Since doing so, I see that life really is richer, fuller and sweeter than I realized before adopting the attitude of gratitude.