This article about showing gratitude might as well been titled The shortest way to a happy, fulfilling life. Because the habit of showing gratitude every day actually will make you happy. And very quickly, too!

Oh, I hear you, you say you have nothing to feel grateful about! You never manage to meet a decent man, your job is crap and your rebellious teenage daughter calls you all kind of words I wouldn’t repeat here. Besides, you’re behind on the bills and your vacation this year will be spent taking care of your aging parents.

Well, you’re going to show gratitude anyway. You can start by feeling grateful that you have internet, computer skills and eyes – so that you can read this article! You probably have at least one hand that works, too, so that you can handle the mouse and the keyboard.

Now, say: Thank you, Universe, for internet, my computer skills, my eyes and hand! (or thank God, if you prefer). If you’re home alone reading this you can say it out loud. If you’re in your office make sure your boss doesn’t hear you.

That was today’s gratitude exercise.

Tomorrow morning you’ll continue: When you make your bed or have your morning coffee or put on your make-up think about at least three things in your life that you’re grateful for. I don’t really care what they are. They can be:

Whatever you choose, now say it loud and with as much enthusiasm as you manage to mobilize: Thank you, Universe; I’m so grateful that my husband is making dinner today!

Or: Thank you, God, for my comfortable sofa!

Write it down, if you choose to. Some people find it useful to keep a gratitude journal. Or just list the things you feel grateful about in your calendar.

You might hear that inner voice telling you that this stuff you should take for granted, and that you shouldn’t need to express gratitude. Especially that your husband is cooking dinner - something he actually should do more often. Tell that voice to shut up.

Don’t worry if you don’t manage to feel enthusiastic about any of this. Fake enthusiasm. After a while it will become real.

Make this a new habit. Be inventive. Find at least three things every day you can be grateful for. It doesn’t have to be new stuff. It doesn’t hurt repeating “Thank you, God, for my and my family’s health.” As well as other really essential factors for a happy life, that we so often tend to take for granted.

Here comes the difficult part. After practicing gratitude for a week or two, you’re going to express gratitude for the things that are not going well in your life. You’re not going to complain any more about never meeting a decent man. Instead you’re going to say: “Thank you, Universe, for letting me meet men and finding out what qualities I want the man of my dreams to possess.” And about your daughter: “Thank you, I’m grateful that I have a healthy daughter who’s going through this healthy for her, rebellious phase.” As for the job: “Thank you for the experience I’m gaining in my job and for showing me how I want my ideal job to be.”

Fake the enthusiasm until you make it. Because you will eventually make it – and that’s what will create this great, constant feeling of happiness!

But that’s not the only reason that it’s good to practice gratitude. I don’t want you to settle with a job that’s not right for you or to live alone when you dream about meeting a man. I’d like you to have this – and gratitude will help you to get it. By telling Universe/God that you are grateful for the things that are really great in your life you show that you appreciate it and that you are ready for more. Now you can start saying: “Thank you for letting me meet the man of my dreams.” And allow yourself to dream about him – how is he, what kind of relationship will you have, what you want to do together with him… Same about the job: “Thank you for helping me getting the job of my dreams.” And think a bit about what that job will be like, what your colleges will be like, what your office will look like. As for your daughter: I know you love her to bits. And really, that rebellious phase will pass.