Want a shortcut to feeling happy and on the receiving end of more good things coming your way? Then you should practice gratitude. I started keeping a gratitude journal in year 2000 after watching it on the Oprah show and reading the book “The Simple Abundance Journal of Gratitude” by Sarah Ban Breathnach. At the same time, I decided to be happy as my starting point in the morning, to use happiness as an approach for my daily encounters. I have kept a gratitude journal ever since.

Simply list things you’re grateful for, whether it be every day or every week, in all circumstances. What’s fascinating is, that we soon notice more things to be grateful for that we yearn to write down during the day. Alas, our focus changes to appreciating the positive more and we become less negative and more happy. So, try it! And don’t forget to express your gratitude too.