Recent research in positive psychology has shown that cultivating an attitude of gratitude makes most people happier. A prime example of this research is found in this article in Harvard Health Publications: http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier

What I often hear other pastors preaching is that the guidelines for life given by God in the Bible are burdens that we have to endure in order to purchase our ticket into heaven after we die. But, this is bunk! Whether it’s the 10 Commandments or the Great Commandments or any of the other life guidelines found in the Bible, they are given in order to make life better as we live it. Giving thanks in prayer, while it may be gratifying to God, also makes us happier improving our lives as we live them. Not murdering our neighbor or coveting his/her stuff makes them and us happier.