Many of us do take the good things in our lives for granted, our mate, our children, our home, the list goes on. Most of us don't stop to think "what would happen if I lost this or that." We only think of what we have, when it is gone or simply diminished.

So what should you do, spend your life feeling grateful? The answer is yes. You can show that you are grateful for what you have by being kind and generous and teaching your children to be the same. Though that sounds simple, people often cannot master this way of thinking. This may arise from the idea that life owes us at least what we are now receiving. Sometime we feel life owes us more or better than we are receiving. If that's where you are now, or feel that you are reaching that point take a day off and enjoy some "never take anything for granted" time. Time out to acknowledge the smaller good things in life; do it alone or grab your kids, your spouse or a good friend and go to the zoo, take a bike ride or a walk to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Do something for someone else, call a friend just to say "I'm thinking of you", visit a shut-in neighbor or simply make it a point to say "please", "thank you" and "have a good day" to someone. Talk about the good things in life or say something positive every day. When you have had a bad day, force yourself to think "tomorrow will be a better day."

There is nothing like volunteer work to shout "I am grateful" to the world. If you are already a volunteer you know that there is nothing like the feeling of giving.

Play the "What are you grateful for" game with your children, while sitting at the dinner table, watching television or while everyone is in the car. Start by sharing what you are grateful for. Don't worry if your child says I am grateful for my Barbie doll or latest video game, keep playing the game and you may find yourself overwhelmed and surprised by what comes from the mouths of babes and your mate. Just for fun ask your friends what they are grateful for.

Putting Family First is a book that helps us to remember who and what is important, and how grateful we should be for our homegrown family and our extended family members. Authors William J. Doherty and Barbara Carlson believe that "family relationships are the irreplaceable core of a full human life." Appreciating and reconnecting with family will make you grateful for your family nest and everything that makes it a good fit. It makes it so much easier to smile and say "Good morning."