What's the Secret to Happiness?

Two psychologists, Dr. Robert A. Emmons of the University of California, Davis, and Dr. Michael E. McCullough of the University of Miami, have done much of the research on gratitude. In one study, they asked all participants to write a few sentences each week, focusing on particular topics.

One group wrote about things they were grateful for that had occurred during the week. A second group wrote about daily irritations or things that had displeased them, and the third wrote about events that had affected them (with no emphasis on them being positive or negative). After 10 weeks, those who wrote about gratitude were more optimistic and felt better about their lives. Surprisingly, they also exercised more and had fewer visits to physicians than those who focused on sources of aggravation.

So.. What's the secret to happiness?

The secret is in expressing gratitude, daily.

Thank Allah. 

Ya Allah, Alhamdulillah for all the difficulties that you blessed me with - they make me stronger, build my character,  beautify my soul, strengthen my dependence on You and increase my patience and endurance. By enduring difficulty, I became more mature and now I can take on anything that comes my way.

Ya Allah, Alhamdulilah for all the blessings that You gifted me with. The gift of breathing, the gift of thinking, the gift of being able to see the beauty of the world. I'm not on life support, I wasn't born mentally retarded, and I am blessed with eyesight, while others are blind and only see black.

I promise to do my daily prayers on time, because it's the best way to thank You Allah. When I am thankful, I am happy!