It’s that time of year again. Once a year we make a point of giving thanks for our gifts, blessings, and good fortune. I’m totally in favor of having a tradition of giving thanks, especially as most of us sit down in front of almost limitless bounty. My only objection is that we only make a point of doing this once a year.
Current psychological research has demonstrated a clear relationship between happiness and gratitude.  Those of us who stop to feel grateful for the good things in our lives also experience the most happiness in our lives, for which of course we can be even more grateful. But it’s not the having that’s the key to the happiness; it’s the gratitude.  Once the most basic needs are met, having more doesn’t contribute to greater happiness.  But feeling grateful for what you have is associated with greater happiness.
Making a point of expressing that gratitude only once a year is falling short of our potential. So I’d like to propose that Thanksgiving be more than a once a year operation. Well, I’m not really proposing that we have a whole turkey day celebration more often.  I’m proposing something on a smaller scale.
My idea is that we have “gratitude moments” that we share with others or that we make a point of having just by ourselves. In my imagination, these moments become familiar parts of our regular day’s routines. 
No matter how imperfectly your life may be unfolding, there are so many things you’re likely to have for which to be grateful. Did you have food today? Clean drinking water? A roof over your head? At least one person who cares about you? A moment in which you noticed how amazingly beautiful the sky can be just before sunset? It’s likely that you don’t have everything you want. But it’s almost certain that you have something for which to be grateful.
I’m not suggesting that you ignore the imperfections in your life or pretend to feel things that you don’t. On the contrary, I’m suggesting that you get very clear that despite these misfortunes or dissatisfactions, you have something for which to be grateful. Make the time to notice and feel the gratitude.
Your life will be richer for it and you’ll be a happier person.