Keeping a gratitude journal can be a key part of living a happy and prosperous life.

How so? Acknowledging all the things, events, and people we appreciate will quickly get us out of the "whining" mode and right into "happy" mode, increasing our vibration. And with that, we'll begin to draw more of the things we're already happy about.

The law of attraction says that whatever we focus on we draw to us. And if you have ever any doubts about that, just give it a try.

Ever notice how your days go from bad to worse as you grumble and resent all the things in your life that make you miserable – or that you think make you miserable.

We won't get into justifications here. It's clear enough that if you think enough about them, that's where you'll stay, and that's what you'll keep getting. So what if somebody else had a hand in it? Do you really want to give them the satisfaction of successfully making you miserable too?

You can turn things around. Express appreciation. In writing. For the unlikeliest things. The only condition: you must find a way, any way, to actually feel some appreciation.

One of my favorites: I forgot who it was, but in response to tough times, someone said he would give thanks for the challenges that make life such a growth experience. Oh, look, another growth experience! Thank you! So let's give thanks for all the learning lessons that bless our lives.

But it doesn't just have to be challenges. Sometimes the simple things, the things that we normally take for granted, work just as well as objects of our appreciation. Did you have a good meal today? Or yesterday? Are there people in your life who would miss you if you were gone? People you would miss? Express gratitude.

Can you see? Hear? Walk? Talk? Express gratitude. Is today a beautiful day? Did the sun appear when it was supposed to? Express gratitude.

Do you own or have access to something, anything, you enjoy? A book, a CD, a piece of clothing or jewelry (no fancy metals and minerals required)? Express gratitude.

Chances are there are many things that deserve to be written into your gratitude journal. And why write them down? There's something about the writing process that makes things so much more real. You've probably read all about the power of written-down goals. Well, gratitude, especially as a path towards greater prosperity and abundance, works the same way.

Then watch what happens. Your vibrations will go up. You'll feel happier. Things start working better. Maybe some new signs of prosperity come very quickly, maybe they'll take a while.

Either way, you can be assured that as long as you keep grumbling, you'll keep swatting any incoming signs of prosperity away like flies. So stop grumbling and welcome all the good that'll be flowing into your life.

About The Author: Elisabeth Kuhn writes a blog which provides resources for body, mind, spirit, and prosperity.