Happiness, the sheer joy of being alive, is within our grasp. All we need is an attitude of gratitude. Gratitude creates happiness because it makes us feel full and complete. Gratitude is the realization that we have everything we need, at least in this moment. A heart illuminated with gratitude will disperse the darkness of negative emotions just as sunshine dries the morning dew.

Each of us is on a path to become the fullness of what we are meant to be. Our life's ambition should be to discover and become who we really already are; that eternal self that has existed for eons, but has somehow been forgotten or suppressed.

Too many of us spend far too much time cataloging all the ways we have been injured, abused and hurt. We analyze and categorize with friends and therapists the whos, whats, and wheres of our misery. We take the stance that if things are going well, it is only a matter of time before they take a turn for the worse. While bad things certainly are part of life, we do not need to saddle ourselves with the negative emotions we all experience at one time or another. Many carry throughout their lives, the attitudes they adopted in early childhood. All of us are free to change our minds. And as our minds change so too will our experiences.

Gratitude is a spiritual principle. And like most spiritual truths, it is stunningly simple. Simple, but not easy. At least not at first. If you view your life from a more spiritual perspective, you will understand that you are here to 'grow your soul', to heal your wounds - or at least bless your woundedness - and become more loving, kind, and hopeful. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude is the key to living from an open heart, that is, living in a spirit of joyful expectation. You notice that I speak of an attitude. It is not a matter of cataloging what you are grateful for, rather it is transforming your character so that gratitude is part of your essence.

One of the incredible truths about gratitude is that it is impossible to feel both the positive emotion of thankfulness and a negative emotion such as anger or fear at the same time. Gratitude creates only positive feelings - love, compassion , joy, and hope. As we focus on what we are thankful for, fear, anger, and bitterness simply melt away, seemingly without effort. This is because gratitude helps us track success and take notice what is right in our lives. A child learning to walk intuitively focuses on success. She falls time and again, but keeps trying because she knows success will be hers.

As we get older, we focus on our mistakes - what is lacking, missing, inadequate, and painful, rather than our successes. Gratitude is so powerful because it helps us return to our natural state of joyfulness where we notice what is right instead of what's wrong.

Of course, we live in the real world, which is filled with things more terrible than most of us can comprehend. And we must fight to abolish that which is evil, corrupt and negative. But I believe it is possible to fight for what is right and good without being consumed by pessimism and negativity.

Since gratitude is both an attitude as well as a practice, it will take time to integrate this into your character. The trait of gratitude must become truly yours, and not something you simply read and forget. Consciously cultivating thankfulness is a journey of the soul. It begins by noticing those around us to whom gratefulness comes easily and realize how much we enjoy being around them. You also tap into this feeling when you think of times in the past that you were particularly grateful. You will find that being grateful for something is not remote or foreign, but part of the natural joyful expression of our lives.

Science confirms that feelings of gratitude promote health. Positive emotions such as gratitude and love have been shown to increase endorphin levels and boost the immune system. Gratitude eradicates worry. Gratitude draws people to us. Gratitude cures perfectionism. Gratitude spawns kindness and generosity. Gratitude opens our hearts. Gratitude connects us to spirit.

Say Thank You as often as possible - it is a sign of being civilized and acknowledges others in a positive way. Look for excuses to verbalize your appreciation.

Send a thank you card or note. - Try doing it every day for a week. Or just doing it once. If you check your email daily. Send an email of thanks.

Give thanks at meals whether you pray to God or not- a lot of work by a lot of people went in to providing the food on your table. Be thankful for your meal.

Write a list of what you are thankful for. Keep it close at hand to review whenever you are feeling down.

Complement others as often as you can. A sincere complement or expression of gratitude in private warms hearts and builds bonds of friendship.

Appreciate the beauty of nature. Look for the good. Look for the beautiful and sublime.

Remember, the only thing we can really control in our life is the attitudes we choose. Make a conscious decision to choose an Attitude of Gratitude.

~ Dr. Kyle D. Christensen D.C.~

"Herbal first Aid is insightful, clear, and an easy to follow resource book on herbs. It covers herbal lifesaving techniques, storage of herbal remedies and ancient herbal wisdom. This book is a must for alternative health practitioners and I am looking forward to having it in my collection of books on remedies and first aid". - Ellen w. Cutler, D.C. Author of The Food Allergy Cure