I've always been a believer in happiness. I love being happy. I've always tried to be a happy person. I like to make other people happy.

I've been reading recently in the news that the world is becoming a happier place. Now isn't that interesting? Who knew?  Did you realize you were getting increasingly happier? We really need to keep up on those kinds of things.

They've actually done a study on this deal. (I'd like to know how much you can get paid for doing studies like these!) And so we're getting happier –– never doubt the studies and those who perform them.

The World Values Survey interviewed more than 350,000 people asking them the same two questions, which are –– Taking all things together, would you say you are very happy, rather happy, not very happy or not happy at all? And, all things considered, how satisfied are with your life as a whole these days?

The survey was conducted through the years 1981 to 2007 and they found that there is increased happiness in 45 out of 52 countries.

Political scientist Ronald Inglehart, director of the World Values Survey, said it's widely believed that it's almost impossible to raise an entire country's happiness level, but alas and alack, it seems like it's happening anyway.

Findings of the survey showed Denmark to be the happiest country in the world and Zimbabwe the least happy.

The survey ranked the United States 16th in the happiness realm of things. What is that telling us here in little old northwest Missouri?

The survey found a correlation between having peace and happiness, the freedom to govern one's own life and peoples' economic standings.

So, I've been giving this some thought. Here in the United States –– the 16th happiest country involved in the survey –– we have many of the things the surveyors believe makes people happy.

We live in a free country. We can say what we want, write what we want and pretty much do what we want –– as long as we don't hurt anyone or break any laws.

We live on peaceful soil. I realize there are "unpeaceful" things happening around us, but we generally enjoy a peaceful existence.

And even though there are people who have a hard time financially (myself included) living in our country, we still have many economic opportunities that are not offered in many other countries.

So my thought is –– we need to be happy. We need to look around us and be excited about what we have here in America. Our opportunities are endless. We need only look around to find ways to better ourselves.

And I'd like to suggest that while we are looking around, maybe we can find someone who is less fortunate than we are. Maybe we could find even more happiness by helping someone else be happy.

All in all, we have a wonderful country. I hope each of you spent a happy and festive July 4th with those you love.