Want a simple secret to happiness? A sure-fire path to contentment? A way to bring a continuous smile to your lips?

1) At the END of every day, write down three good things that happened to you that day. Do this just before you go to sleep, dwell on each briefly, appreciate them. (Can’t think of three good things? Think of three things that you could have thought about differently, interpreted in a new positive way, looked at from a different, kinder, gentler perspective.)

2) At the START of every day, think of three nice things you will do for three people that day. Your three things can be genuine compliments, moments of sincere and specific praise, gestures of appreciation, acts of courtesy. Let someone in ahead of you in traffic, let the lady with the baby ahead of you in line, tell your boss how a co-worker did a great job.

Closing quotes:

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” — G.K. Chesterton

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” — Thornton Wilder

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” — President John F. Kennedy