He replied, “Gratitude is the key to happiness. If we have everything that a person could wish for, it will still not make us happy as long as we take it for granted. If, on the other hand, we are grateful even in the midst of trouble, we will find joy. And by joy I mean the happiness that does not depend on what happens to us.”

Another question he was asked, “What is a simple act that people can do to get in touch with gratitude in their lives? He replied, “For decades, I have written down every night one thing for which I’ve not yet been grateful. I am still coming up with gifts of life I’m consciously enjoying for the first time.”

Recently I was at my local bookstore browsing through the self-help section. While I was looking through a book, my attention was directed to the book, Live Your Best Life! This is a 350-page book which includes all the best articles and interviews from Oprah’s O Magazine for the last five years. I picked up the book and it fell open to an article called Spiritual Energy. As I started reading the article, I was astounded, to say the least, when I found out that Brother David Steindl-Rast was interviewed for the article! He was quoted as saying, “Focusing on gratitude enhances our spiritual energy. When we say, Count Your Blessings, this is a very profound teaching.” After reading the article, I left the store, saying to myself, “I just love when these synchronistic events occur in my life!”

Now, the Christmas holidays are almost upon us. I am planning a trip to Nicaragua, so I decided that I needed to take a few Spanish lessons before I leave home. I had heard about the Rosetta Stone, an interactive software package that comes highly recommended. I knew I could buy the product at a store in San Francisco or I could order it online, but for whatever reason, I didn’t buy it. I then went to the Berlitz Language Institute and inquired about taking private lessons. They informed me that I had to sign up for 48 lessons as part of the package they offered. I told them that I just wanted to take a few lessons, and was told they could not accommodate me. So, I went home and thought about what I wanted.

I told the universe that I wanted a private tutor who was available on short notice, flexible with their hours, reasonably priced, and who lived in Vancouver. I did a search on the Internet, and in 24 hours I had attracted my ideal Spanish tutor! She is from Argentina and has been teaching Spanish for 12 years. I am now taking Spanish lessons from her twice a week and she is fantastic. How cool is that! I asked the Universe to find me a tutor in Vancouver who was reasonably priced, and 24 hours later the universe delivered. As they say in Spanish, Que casualidad! (What a coincidence!)