Once I offered my 7 year old daughter a 'magic potion' to help her with something nagging her. She asked if she could have an IPOD app instead! Therefore, if I had an app that would make you happier (forgive the pun), healthier, more optimistic and more productive, and told you that the app was free and would require very little effort to use, would you want it?

Unfortunately, I don't have any programming skills. But the app isn't necessary anyway because each of us has something even better than a virtual magic potion. An attitude of gratitude is what we really need, as it often makes us happier and more optimistic. And the best news about gratitude is that it requires little time and no money. It's a built-in app that we can access anytime we choose.

For those of us who still need reasons, here are five ways gratitude may improve our outlook, productivity, and results:

Gratitude helps us learn. Behind every problem lies an opportunity. Being grateful for our situation - even if we don't like everything about it - allows us to be thankful for the opportunity to grow into who we're supposed to be.

Gratitude can improve problem solving skills. Too often we take a jaded view of problem solving. "Something is wrong. We have barriers in our way. We will have to put forth great effort to fix our problems." Conversely, when we think about what we are grateful for we open our minds up to new possibilities and approach a problem-solving situation with a perspective of improvement and opportunity.

Gratitude attracts what we want. We attract into our life the things we think about and focus on. When consciously focused and grateful for our good fortune, we attract more of that into our lives.

Gratitude reduces negativity. It is hard to be negative about your situation when you are thinking about things for which you are grateful. One of the fastest ways to improve your mood or outlook is to count your blessings.

Gratitude improves relationships. When we are children, we learn the powerful lesson of saying "thank you". Think about those people that you know who are most appreciative of you - and let you know it. How do you feel about them? Does their appreciation positively impact your relationship? Of course it does! Be grateful for people, their contributions, and their actions - and make sure you let them know how you feel.

So, how do we develop an attitude of gratitude? Here is one simple tip: 

A powerful way to cultivate gratitude is to focus on what is really happening in our lives, rather than falling into the traps of complaining and catastrophic thinking.

Ask yourself three questions every day: "What have I received today? What have I given? What more could I have offered, but didn't do so?" We never want to deny the difficult parts of our lives, but we can put things into perspective.

Write down your answers and keep track of them. Chances are what we have in the giving column is always shorter than what's in the receiving column. As we become aware that we've received so much more than we've given, not only does that cultivate gratitude, it also cultivates a desire to give more of ourselves to our loved ones, our friends, colleagues, and the world.

And finally, gratitude is an attitude, a choice, and a habit. When we consciously practice being grateful for the people, situations and resources around us we begin to attract better relationships and results. The habit will be strengthened as you make the choice each day. So why not start today? Or even better, why not start now?

Out of the "most useless place": The Waiting Place...for people just waiting...No! That's not for you! Somehow you will escape all the waiting and staying. You'll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing...Ready for anything under the sky...And will you succeed? Yes, you will indeed!...KID, YOU WILL MOVE MOUNTAINS! - Dr. Seuss