If you had to name just one attribute that most leads to a happy life, what would you pick?

I just read a story about one celebrity whose answer to that question was that he would pick “drive.”

“It takes drive to accomplish anything,” he said. “Whether it’s something you want to achieve or a habit you want to break you need drive,”

That’s a good answer because I believe the difference between someone who finds success and someone who finds disappointment is how much drive they have to reach their goal.

Sometimes I forget what I was able to accomplish to get through college.

My dream was always to go to college. But it took 10 years of hard work, taking one course a semester. I paid for that course by selling freelance articles and saving what I was given for my birthday.

I remember going to the college administrator to ask if I could qualify for financial help. He told me quite forcefully that he didn’t approve of married woman going to college and had no desire to help. He told me married women didn’t belong in college.

I know that’s it’s hard to believe because he would never get away with saying that in later years. But thinking about how far we’ve come is its own blessing.

There is often a good side to every problem, and in the long run it was good that I had the drive to keep pushing for my dream, even if it did take 10 years to do it.

I was married with two little girls and worked part time for the newspaper. One thing I was careful about was not taking time away from my daughters to pursue my college dream.

That meant when they were asleep at night I was up late studying. Plenty of times I fell asleep over a book.

My father once told me it was one of his biggest regrets that he couldn’t afford to help me pay for tuition. He said it hurt him to see how long it took me to earn my degree and how hard I had to work.

I told him the truth: I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. I believe we most value what doesn’t come easy.

I relished every single course I was able to take and I knew I got way more out of my college courses than kids who had free rides.

Yes, I needed plenty of drive. So one would think “drive” would be my answer to the question of what attribute most leads to a fulfilled life.

No, I answer that question by saying “gratitude” is the one attribute that I most value.

I am grateful for every single blessing I have had, including my family and the many people who have enriched my life. Some of those people were my treasured friends, some were work colleagues, and all were part of the gratitude I feel.

I can never say “Thank you, God” enough times.

If you want a more fulfilled life don’t take anything in your life for granted. The more you are aware of each blessing the more satisfying you will find your life.

What happens too many times is we take everything for granted. We rush from one thing to another without pausing to consider the significance of what we were given.

Worse yet, sometimes we are given a blessing but we see it as a problem.

Let me give you an example.

For all of my married life with David, we had two homes. Did I see that as a blessing? Heck no. I complained loud and long.

Taking care of one home is hard enough. Taking care of two homes doubled the responsibilities and the problems. Plus, two refrigerators had to be kept stocked.

I kept saying I never asked for two homes. I thought we would be like every other couple and have one home.

We actually went looking for a home to share and finally found the perfect place. It was priced right and had a stunning view of the waterway. With 250 yards of beachfront we both could picture how easy it would be to slide our kayaks into the water and take off from our home.

I was so excited about the home that I went to meet the neighbors, telling them we would soon move in. We were already planning sunset parties.

But 11 at night the day before we were supposed to close on the sale of the house David called me to say he couldn’t go through with it. He wanted to stay in his own home, the home he promised to leave to his children.

We never did compromise and solve the problem of two homes.

I’m sure God got tired of hearing me say, “I never signed up for this.”

Then, poof, several hurricanes left us with one destroyed home and one that had to be rebuilt.

I should have said thank you for what we once had instead of seeing it as a problem.

Now, both David and I often find ourselves lamenting the loss of his home. There were so many good things about it.

I have learned a lesson. Never take something for granted.

Most of all, appreciate all you have.

Email Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net