Are you unhappy or sad? Do you wonder if you will ever be happy? Have you said to yourself, "If only I had this or such and such then I'd be happy." Well, the good news is you don't have to wait and the solution to being happy right now is right at your fingertips. The "secret" is gratitude; being thankful for everything as it is at this moment. If you consider it and meditate on the idea, you'll understand what I mean.

See, there is absolutely NO WAY, you can be in a state of gratitude and not be happy at this very moment. Give it a try and see what happens. Think of all of the wonderful things in your life such as your loving partner, family, job, food on your belly, physical health, a vehicle to get you to work, a roof over your head, the country that you live in, the freedoms you enjoy, the opportunity to serve, gifts you've been blessed with, eyes to see a beautiful sunrise, a sence of smell to enjoy the fragrance of a lovely flower, the sound of children laughing, etc., etc.

There are a great number of things to be happy about. When you take the time to realize them and say thank you, your attitude changes. That gratitude turns to joy and that joy is what projects from you out to the world, your state of happiness.

To get in the habit if you aren't already, then practice this routine. In the morning when you wake up, give 5 to 10 things you are happy about.

1. Thank you for this new day

2. Thank you for the alarm going off so I am not late

3. Thank you for a warm comfortable bed

4. Thank you for the person laying next to me

5. Thank you for a great night's rest

6. Thank you for clean air to breath

7. Thank you for the food for breakfast or the chocolate the night before :]

8. Etc.,

Repeat the process in the evening.

1. Thank you for helping me making it through another day

2 Thank you for the people I met today to share and learn from

3. Thank you for all wisdom gained today

4. Thank you for getting me to work and back home safely

5. Etc.

There are so many things to be thankful for and taking the time to reflect on them is a great reminder of how wonderful life is. Even in some of the most difficult times, there are things to be grateful for.

One thing to remember, if you are not happy in your current state, you'll never be happy when things change. Learn and take time to be happy now to prepare for the dream life you want. Live in a constant state of gratitude and you'll have no choice but to be happy. And the happiness is one of the profits of living a successful life.